Yahoo Lifestyle Japanese Box Office Hit ‘Grande Maison Paris’ Sells to Multiple Territories (EXCLUSIVE)
London- and Paris-based production, finance and sales company Film Constellation is reporting a raft of sales from Berlin on chef drama “Grande Maison Paris,” a standalone feature film from the world of Japanese hit series “La Grande Maison: Tokyo.”
The film has sold in Taiwan (Cai Chang), South Korea (Media Castle), Mainland China (DDDream), Hong Kong and Macau (First Distributors), Thailand (SF Cinema), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), CIS (Arna Media), and Israel (YesDBS), with additional territories in South East Asia, and Eastern Europe in negotiations.
More from Variety
Toho and Sony Pictures Entertainment released the film in Japan early in January, where it has now grossed over $26 million (4 billion yen), making it one of the early local hits of this year.
Sony Pictures Entertainment releases in France, with other international releases beginning in March 2025.
Set in the high-stakes world of Parisian culinary excellence, the film stars Japanese icon Takuya Kimura (“Blade of the Immortal,” “Love and Honor,” “The Boy and the Heron”), reprising his lead role from the series, and popular Korean actor and rapper from band 2PM Ok Taec-yeon (“Hansan: Rising Dragon,” “Vincenzo”).
Renowned three Michelin star Japanese chef Kei Kobayashi from Paris’ restaurant Kei created the film’s cuisine.
In the film, famous Japanese chef Obana (Takuya Kimura) opens a new restaurant in Paris in the quest for his elusive third Michelin star. But Obana finds life as an outsider in the City of Lights very difficult, and even has trouble sourcing ingredients. His pride and ambition causes tension with his team, including his headstrong patissier Yuan (Ok Taec-yeon), and loyal sous chef Rinko (Kyoka Suzuki). When his menu for a gala dinner proves a disaster, Obana promises his former mentor that if he doesn’t get three Michelin stars he will quit the restaurant and leave Paris. Can he pull it off?
“Grande Maison Paris” had its world premiere earlier last year at the San Sebastián Film Festival.
Directed by Ayuko Tsukahara (“Last Mile,” “My Happy Marriage”), who continues her work from the series, “Grande Maison Paris” is produced by Recorded Picture Company’s Jeremy Thomas (“The Last Emperor,” “Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence”), TBS TV’s Hidenori Iyoda (“La Grande Maison: Tokyo”), Masanobu Yamada and Keiko Matsumoto.
Kyōka Suzuki, Yuta Tamamori, Kanichiro, Anne Nakamura, Ai Tominaga, Mitsuhiro Oikawa, and Ikki Sawamura round up the celebrated local cast, reprising their roles from the series.
The original series “La Grande Maison: Tokyo” is now available on Netflix in most territories internationally.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
