Netflix has reportedly paid a hefty bonus to Sony Pictures, the studio behind "KPop Demon Hunters".
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix recently awarded Sony a roughly $15 million performance bonus tied to the film’s breakout success.
The payout lifts Sony’s total upside to around $40 million. The studio had previously received about $25 million from Netflix, separate from the film’s reported $100 million production budget.
Netflix has also closed a deal with Sony Pictures for a sequel targeting a 2029 release. Variety noted the timeline reflects the longer production cycles typical of animated features.
"KPop Demon Hunters" was originally developed as a theatrical release, but amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, Sony sold the rights to Netflix in 2021.
Netflix launched "KPop Demon Hunters" globally in June, racking up 300 million views―the highest view count ever for a Netflix film.
The soundtrack was a phenomenon, too. The track "Golden" topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart.
"Golden" went on to snag five Grammy nominations, including Song of the Year, and is widely expected to be in the mix for Best Original Song at the Oscars next March.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
