Auli’i Cravalho, Skylar Astin, and Anna Chlumsky join the all-star voice cast, which includes Adam Devine, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson; Film Directed by David N. Weiss, Co-Directed by Stephanie Ma Stine, Takao Noguchi

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Toei Animation announced today that it has struck a new strategic collaboration with Lionsgate, a partnership that begins with North American distribution for its upcoming animated feature Monkey Quest. The film will hit theaters in wide release in 2027 with support from Lionsgate, which will provide theatrical distribution and marketing services.
 
In the new deal, Lionsgate will be Toei Animation’s distribution partner in the U.S. for new projects. Lionsgate will also be a first stop for Toei on future co-productions.
  
Monkey Quest is an epic, action-packed adventure featuring an all-star voice cast led by Auli’i Cravalho (Moana, Mean Girls), Adam Devine (The Righteous Gemstones, The Out-Laws), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash, The Westies), Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect), Anna Chlumsky (Veep, Inventing Anna), Sam Richardson (Veep, The Afterparty), and Jonathan Kite (2 Broke Girls).  Set in a near-future world where wonder and danger collide, a fearless teenage girl and her brother, desperate to find their missing parents, awaken Okon, Earth’s long-forgotten protector with extraordinary power. As this unlikely trio embarks on a high-stakes, surprise-filled journey, they must learn to trust one another and discover what it truly means to be a family.
 
The film features a story co-created by Naoto Oshima, the original character designer behind Sonic the Hedgehog, directed by David N. Weiss (writer Shrek 2) and co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine (Kung-Fu Panda 4) and Takao Noguchi (character designer How to
Train Your Dragon, The Croods).
 

 

Comments
Atsushi Suzuki / Senior Executive Officer, Head of Sales and Planning, Toei Animation
“We are excited to begin this relationship with Lionsgate and thrilled to bring Monkey Quest to North American audiences. This film represents a new chapter for us as we expand our fanbase globally. We could not ask for a better partner to help us introduce our films to new audiences.”
 

Geobert Abboud / Executive Vice President, Business Strategy, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
“We’re delighted to be Toei’s new partner as they bring their feature films to U.S. audiences, and Monkey Quest is just the beginning as we explore how we can work together. Their impact in the anime space with ‘One Piece,’ ‘Digimon,’ and so many other
projects is undeniable, and we look forward to seeing how we can build on this momentum.”

 

About Lionsgate
Lionsgate is one of the world’s leading standalone, pure play, publicly-traded content companies. It brings together diversified motion picture and television production and distribution businesses, a world-class portfolio of valuable brands and franchises, a premier talent management and production powerhouse at 3 Arts Entertainment and a more than 20,000-title film and television library, all driven by Lionsgate’s bold and entrepreneurial culture.
 

About Monkey Quest
Monkey Quest is an epic, action-packed adventure from Toei Animation.  Set in a near-future world where wonder and danger collide, a fearless teenage girl and her brother, desperate to find their missing parents, awaken Okon, Earth’s long-forgotten protector with extraordinary power.  As this unlikely trio embarks on a high-stakes, surprise-filled journey, they must learn to trust one another and discover what it truly means to be a family.
 
Building to a breathtaking, genre-defining finale that transforms into a full anime battle sequence, Monkey Quest delivers a cinematic experience only Toei Animation can achieve, seamlessly blending cutting-edge CG with the studio’s iconic anime artistry. Featuring Adam Devine as Okon, Auli’i Cravalho as Elle, and J.K. Simmons as a menacing alien force, the film offers a bold, visually innovative spectacle grounded in an emotional, character-driven story for audiences of all ages.
 
Directed by: David N. Weiss
Co-Directors: Stephanie Ma Stine, Takao Noguchi
Screenplay by: J. David Stem & David N. Weiss
Story by: Naoto Oshima & Joseph Chou
Produced by: Yoshi Ikezawa, p.g.a., Joseph Chou, p.g.a., Chuck Williams, p.g.a.
Executive Producer: Kozo Morishita, Katsuhiro Takagi, Ayumu Hoshino, Naoto Oshima, Tim Kwok
Cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Adam Devine, J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson, Skylar Astin, Anna Chlumsky, Jonathan Kite