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The H Collective

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The H Collective
Company typePrivate[1]
IndustryFilm
FoundedJune 2017; 7 years ago (2017-06)
FounderKenneth Huang
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
United States
Websitewww.thehcollectivefilms.com

The H Collective is a United States–based film finance, production, marketing and distribution company founded in 2017.[2] The company was founded by Chinese financier Kenneth Huang and has Chinese and American backers. THC is headquartered in Los Angeles,[1] and it has offices in Shanghai and Berlin.[3] THC's "first global title" was the 2019 film Brightburn,[4] for which it was developing a sequel in 2023.[5] THC acquired the rights to the XXX film series from Revolution Studios in 2018 to produce a fourth film,[6] but faced a lawsuit from Weying Galaxy in 2020 over alleged misrepresentation and unauthorized transactions concerning those rights.[7]

In 2019, THC formed a partnership with Japanese technology conglomerate Rakuten,[8] although it ended by 2023.[5] THC expanded its operations to Saudi Arabia, focusing on film development and production in the Arabic-speaking market.[9] THC also ventured into integrating Metaverse, Web3, and AI technologies into film production through its new subsidiary, H3 Entertainment.[5]

A 2024 investigation by Deadline Hollywood revealed that Kenneth Huang left the company with numerous lawsuits, substantial debts, and unresolved disputes, leading to his disappearance.[10]

Company history

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Prior to 2017, Chinese financier Kenneth Huang was Paramount Pictures's connection to Chinese resources. In June 2017, he created The H Collective,[10] which was launched during the 2017 Shanghai International Film Festival with the goal of financing and/or producing four films a year in its first four years.[2] For THC, Huang hired "experienced and trusted" Hollywood executives to make films.[10] The company was financially backed by Huang and his brother Kent Huang as well as other Chinese and American backers.[1]

In the following September, the company hired as CEO Nic Crawley, who was the president of international marketing and distribution for Paramount Pictures.[11] The company subsequently hired Jenna Sanz-Agero as EVP Business Affairs and Operations and Ivy Sun as CFO.[12]

In April 2018, THC partnered with Sony Pictures to market and distribute THC's films.[6] In the same month, Sherryl Clark was hired as THC's President of Production. Sanz-Agero was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, and Sun was promoted to Chief Strategy Officer. Del Mayberry replaced Sun as the CFO.[13] In the following May, THC partnered with the online video platform company iQiyi to co-produce three films.[14]

In May 2019, Japanese technology conglomerate Rakuten took a stake in THC's upcoming films, also establishing a joint venture with the studio to distribute films in Japan.[8] By the following August, THC partnered with Rakuten to establish Rakuten H Collective Studio, a joint venture for film production in Japan, and Rakuten Distribution, which will primarily release films produced by THC.[15] By September 2023, THC ended its partnership with Rakuten.[5] (A journalistic investigation in 2024 revealed that Rakuten successfully sued THC and Kenneth Huang for $52 million for engaging in a Ponzi scheme with their partnership.)[10]

In 2020, THC opened in Berlin an office that would focus on film development and production, with Mark Rau as Europe CEO.[3] In January 2022, THC signed a co-production deal with Inqisam Studios, a Saudi Arabian sub-company of Nowaar Entertainment, to co-invest and produce films and TV shows with a focus on the Arabic-speaking market but aimed at global audiences. In the past year, multiple executives left THC's Los Angeles office, which was being overseen by Kent Huang.[9]

In September 2023, THC launched H3 Entertainment, a new company focused on integrating Metaverse, Web3, and AI technologies into film production. H3 Entertainment is based in Dubai and Hong Kong, with seed investors from London, Singapore, and Hong Kong.[5]

In 2024, Deadline Hollywood conducted a six-month investigation and reported, "THC was a legitimate operation and Huang appeared to be the real deal. Until he was not. As quickly as THC blossomed into life, the company rotted from its sapling roots and Huang vanished from view... he left behind a litany of lawsuits; colleagues and investors owed tens of millions of dollars; a messy and unresolved dispute over the xXx franchise; mortgage defaults on a palatial Bel Air house; more than $160,000 in unpaid office rent; and scripts from writers, including John Wick scribe Derek Kolstad, with no clean chain of title."[10]

Project history

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The H Collective's first projects in 2017 were distributing and marketing in the Americas the films Hanson and the Beast, Wolf Warrior 2, and A Better Tomorrow 2018.[16] THC also started in June 2017 backing six projects including The Parts You Lose (ultimately released in 2019) and a fourth installment of the XXX film series (not yet produced).[17] In April 2018, THC acquired the rights to the XXX film series from Revolution Studios.[16] In October 2020, Weying Galaxy filed a lawsuit against THC alleging fraudulent misrepresentation in the XXX deal, claiming it was misled into contributing over $6 million towards acquiring derivative rights. Weying sought punitive damages and control over a joint venture, following discoveries that contradicted initial claims about the acquisition of rights, leading to financial and operational setbacks.[7]

In 2018, THC financed and produced the film Brightburn with Troll Court Entertainment, the company of James Gunn, one of the film's producers.[18] With a release in 2019, Deadline Hollywood called Brightburn THC's "first global title".[4]

The first film that was planned under THC's 2019 partnership with Rakuten is Beast, based on a Black List script by Aaron W. Sala,[19] which was acquired in March 2018 by THC in a mid-six figure deal.[20] Morena Baccarin was cast in the starring role, and Espen Sandberg was hired to direct the film. Pre-production was planned in New Zealand in late March 2020,[19] but due to concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic there, the preparation was halted.[21] There have been no subsequent updates or announcements regarding the film's resumption.

THC said in September 2023 that it was developing a sequel to Brightburn.[5] In the following April, a producer of the first film, James Gunn, said a sequel was unlikely due to issues with rights.[22]

Filmography

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Films with The H Collective's involvement
Year Film Notes Ref.
2017 Hanson and the Beast North and South American distribution rights [16]
2017 Wolf Warrior 2 North and South American distribution rights [16]
2018 A Better Tomorrow 2018 North and South American distribution rights [16]
2019 The Parts You Lose Produced by The H Collective and Gran Via Productions, distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films [11]
2019 Brightburn Produced by The H Collective, distributed by Screen Gems [23]
2021 Wrong Turn Produced by The H Collective and Constantin Film, distributed by Saban Films [24]

Projects in development by The H Collective include The Vineyard, Beast, The Remainders, and Shadow Song.[25]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Brzeski, Patrick (September 6, 2018). "China's iQiyi Takes Stake in Vin Diesel's 'xXx 4'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Busch, Anita (June 19, 2017). "The H Collective, Fueled By China's 'Kenny' Huang, Launches With Projects From Sid Ganis, Mark Johnson, Joe Roth & Jeff Kirschenbaum". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Wiseman, Andrea (November 18, 2020). "'Brightburn' Outfit The H Collective Sets Up German Office With 'Look Who's Back' Co-Producer Mark Rau As CEO Europe". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Tartaglione, Nancy (May 14, 2019). "Japan's Rakuten Invests In H Collective's 'Brightburn', 'xXx 4' – Cannes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Wiseman, Andreas (September 12, 2023). "The H Collective Launches AI, Web3 & Metaverse Label H3 Entertainment, Still Working On 'Brightburn' Sequel". Deadline Hollywood.
  6. ^ a b Busch, Anita (April 18, 2018). "The H Collective, Sony Pictures In Marketing & Distribution Deal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Gardner, Eriq (October 12, 2020). "Weying Says 'xXx' Sequel Deal Was a Fraud". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  8. ^ a b Brzeski, Patrick (May 14, 2019). "Cannes: Japan's Rakuten Takes Stake in The H Collective Action Films 'xXx 4,' 'Brightburn'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Wiseman, Andreas (January 17, 2022). "'Brightburn' Producer The H Collective Signs Co-Pro Deal With Saudi Arabia's Inqisam Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e Kanter, Jake (April 29, 2024). "Investigation: How An Extravagant Chinese Financier Charmed Hollywood's Elite Before Vanishing, Owing People Millions". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Kilday, Gregg (September 14, 2017). "The H Collective Names Nic Crawley CEO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (November 29, 2017). "The H Collective Hires Ivy Sun As Chief Financial Officer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Busch, Anita (April 24, 2018). "The H Collective: Sherryl Clark Hired As New Production President, Del Mayberry As CFO, Others Promoted". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  14. ^ Brzeski, Patrick (May 18, 2018). "The H Collective Inks Three-Picture Co-Production Pact With China's iQiyi". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  15. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 1, 2019). "The H Collective, Rakuten Team For Japan-Based Production & Distribution Ventures". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d e Busch, Anita (April 17, 2018). "Vin Diesel, The H Collective Acquire 'xXx' Franchise Rights Before Fourth Installment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  17. ^ McNary, Dave (June 19, 2017). "'xXx' Sequel, Aaron Paul's 'The Parts You Lose' Get Backing From H Collective". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Haring, Bruce (December 8, 2018). "'Brightburn' Trailer: James Gunn-Produced Horror Teaser Released At Brazil's Comic-Con Experience". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  19. ^ a b Tartaglione, Nancy (February 19, 2020). "Espen Sandberg To Helm Survival Thriller 'Beast' Starring Morena Baccarin For Rakuten H Collective – EFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  20. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 20, 2018). "H Collective Lands Aaron W. Sala Horror Spec 'The Beast'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  21. ^ Fonseka, Dileepa (March 13, 2020). "NZ film industry feeling effects of Covid-19 cancellations". Newsroom. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  22. ^ Freitag, Lee (April 8, 2024). "Brightburn 2: James Gunn Explains Why a Sequel Is 'Unlikely'". SuperHeroHype.com. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  23. ^ McNary, Dave (October 8, 2018). "Film News Roundup: James Gunn's Horror Movie 'BrightBurn' Moved to 2019". Variety. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  24. ^ Miska, Brad (December 16, 2020). "'Wrong Turn' Poster and Images Fight Back Against The Foundation [Exclusive]". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  25. ^ "Projects". thehcollectivefilms.com. The H Collective. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
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