Entertainment news outlet Deadline reported on Tuesday that Lionsgate has entered into a distribution partnership with Toei Animation, becoming the studio’s new U.S. distribution partner for anime projects. The deal launches with the upcoming animated film Monkey Quest, targeting a 2027 theatrical release. Lionsgate is also being considered for future co-productions with Toei. International distribution outside the United States will be handled by Charades.
About Monkey Quest
The film is currently in post-production. It is a 2D-3D hybrid animated feature loosely inspired by the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West, and is a joint Japan–U.S. production featuring an international crew of animators.
Cast and Crew
The voice cast includes:
- Adam Devine as Okon
- Elsie Fisher as Ellie
- J.K. Simmons as Vex
On the creative side, Naoto Oshima — the designer behind Sonic the Hedgehog — co-created the concept and characters alongside Joseph Chou (The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim). David N. Weiss (Shrek 2) is writing the screenplay and co-directing with Stephanie Ma Stine (Kung-Fu Panda 4) and character designer Takao Noguchi. Sunghoo Park, known for directing Jujutsu Kaisen and The God of High School, is contributing to action sequences and providing storyboards. Yoshi Ikezawa of Toei Animation is producing.
Project Background
Toei Animation originally announced the project in February 2024 under the title Hypergalactic as a CG animated film. In November 2024, the studio partnered with Spaceport Technologies and Twin Atlas to launch a Roblox game titled Hypergalactic: Monkey Quest, designed as a hub for a connected gaming universe. Toei Animation had also previously announced a separate partnership with Spaceport Technologies for Fortnite.

