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Live Nation Studios just backed Takashi Miike’s ambitious Kyoto horror project following record 2025 results. With principal photography underway and an elite cast assembled, this film marks a major move. Here’s what this collaboration means for horror cinema.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Director: Takashi Miike, master of horror classics including Audition and Ichi the Killer
- Lead Cast: Charli XCX (star and producer), Milly Alcock, Norman Reedus, Hailey Benton Gates, Kiko Mizuhara, Show Kasamatsu
- Live Nation’s Role: Executive producer and financing partner, announced March 20, 2026
- Parent Company Success: Live Nation Entertainment posted record $25.2 billion revenue in 2025, serving 159 million fans
The Horror Film That Everyone’s Talking About
Takashi Miike’s untitled slasher-horror feature follows three best friends reuniting in Kyoto for what seems like a carefree girls trip. The story takes a dark turn when Katie (Charli XCX) becomes possessed by a violent, tortured spirit played by Kiko Mizuhara. The nightmare that unfolds draws heavily from Japanese horror tradition. This marks Miike’s return to the genre that made him legendary decades ago.
The screenplay was crafted by Ross Evans and Yumiko Aoyagi, inspired by an original concept from Charli and Director Miike. Aidan Zamiri, who recently helmed A24’s The Moment, joins as producer, bringing fresh creative energy to the project.
Live Nation Studios backs Takashi Miike’s Kyoto project following record 2025
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Why Live Nation Studios Sees Gold Here
Live Nation Studios is riding unprecedented momentum after 2025 delivered record-breaking results across the entire parent company. The division, launched as Live Nation Entertainment’s film and television arm, has engineered hits like Stray Kids: The dominATE Experience and Moonage Daydream. Backing Miike signals the studio’s commitment to artist-driven storytelling with global reach.
Ryan Kroft, Head of Film and Television at Live Nation Studios, stated the studio’s vision: “Live Nation Studios helps artists tell bold stories that go beyond the stage. This film represents the kind of creative collaboration we love to champion from top filmmakers with distinctive voices that can connect to global audiences.”
The Creative Team Behind This Ambitious Project
| Role | Person | Notable Work |
| Director | Takashi Miike | Audition (1999), Ichi the Killer (2001), 13 Assassins |
| Lead Actor | Charli XCX | The Moment (producer and star) |
| Cast | Milly Alcock, Norman Reedus | Supergirl, The Walking Dead |
| Producer | Misako Saka (OLM) | Takashi Miike’s longtime partner |
“This film represents the kind of creative collaboration we love to champion from top filmmakers with distinctive voices that can connect to global audiences.”
— Ryan Kroft, Head of Film & Television at Live Nation Studios
What Makes This Horror Vision So Fresh
Takashi Miike has spent over 30 years directing more than 100 feature films, earning cult status with boundary-pushing horror works. His 1999 masterpiece Audition redefined modern horror, while Ichi the Killer (2001) became a controversial cult classic. Recent projects like 13 Assassins (2010) and Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (2011) proved his range extends far beyond genre constraints.
This new film signals something rare, a living legend directly collaborating with Charli XCX, whose artistic vision bridges music and cinema. The Kyoto location carries symbolic weight, connecting the story to authentic Japanese supernatural traditions. Budget backing from Live Nation’s record $25.2 billion 2025 revenue means Miike has the resources to fully realize his vision without compromise.
Will This Ranking Takashi Miike’s Next Career Peak?
The momentum is undeniable. Principal photography has already begun, with industry insiders buzzing about cast chemistry and Hailey Benton Gates’ recent Sundance achievement with Atropia. Live Nation Studios’ backing comes hot on heels of parent company Live Nation Entertainment‘s record-breaking 2025 performance, which saw 159 million fans attend events globally.
The real question looms: can this collaboration between Miike’s uncompromising vision and Charli XCX’s boundary-pushing artistry create the next indie horror phenomenon? For fans of Japanese horror traditions and sophisticated genre cinema, this might be the film event worth waiting for.
Sources
- Live Nation Studios Newsroom – Official announcement of Takashi Miike project partnership and executive production details
- Deadline Hollywood – Cast additions including Hailey Benton Gates and Live Nation involvement confirmation
- Variety – Production details including plot synopsis and character descriptions for the Kyoto-set horror film
