“Cobra Kai” Creators Partner With Yes Studios To Develop Follow-Up To Israeli Series “Red Band” (EXCLUSIVE)
The creators of “Cobra Kai” and yes Studios have teamed up to develop a sequel to the mock Israeli documentary series “Red Band”. Variety learned exclusively.
The creators of “Cobra Kai”, Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, will produce the new series, called “The New Red”, under their Counterbalance Entertainment banner. Counterbalance’s head of development, Dina Hillier, will also be an executive producer. “Cobra Kai” co-executive producer Michael Jonathan Smith will write and produce. yes Studio General Manager Danna Stern and Adam Berkowitz of Lenore Entertainment Group will star alongside Barak Bar Cohen, Ari Pfeffer and Aviram Buhris on the original series. Sony Pictures Television will produce.
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The original series followed a puppet group led by Red Orbarch, an aging rock star whose best days are behind him, and for whom the present is a confusing world in which his rocking behaviors are no longer acceptable.
In “The New Red,” Red is a judge in an average song contest, trying to get sober for the first time in his life as he attempts to mend the relationships his addiction has wrecked. Pfeffer voice and red puppeteers.
“At Counterbalance, we’re always looking for unique ways to incorporate character-driven stories, and ‘The New Red’ certainly lives up to all fronts,” said Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald. “From the first time we watched the pilot, we were hooked – Red is a very unique character who takes audiences on a wild journey that is both humorous and pathetic. We are delighted that writer Michael Jonathan Smith has come aboard to bring Red to life and are delighted to partner with Ari, Aviram and the amazing team at Yes Studios to bring this intellectual property to the world stage.
Red Band was created by Lee Yardeni and Buhris of MYTV. The show has grown to cult status since its debut in 2008. The all-puppet group then began to travel the country with a live performance.
Smith has been a writer on “Cobra Kai” since its inception. “The New Red” marks the second new series of which he is the screenwriter. It was previously reported that he was writing a series based on the games “Twisted Metal” for Sony Pictures Television with Anthony Mackie attached to the star. Smith is currently the subject of a global agreement at Sony. It is replaced by Verve, 3Arts and MiloknayWeiner LLP.
“We are thrilled to partner with the talented Counterbalance team as we let Red Orbarch launch into the world; we have no doubts the public will love this fuzzy crimson rockstar – as much as we do, ”said Buhris.
In addition to “Cobra Kai”, Counterbalance is currently developing a number of projects under its own global deal with Sony. They recently released the road trip comedy “Plan B” on Hulu and are working on an “Ancient Aliens” movie with Heald on the verge of directing.
Heald, Hurwitz and Schlossberg are replaced by CAA. Heald’s attorney is Behr Abramson Levy. The lawyer for Hurwitz and Schlossberg is Hansen Jacobson.
“‘Red Band’ is an iconic and enduring Israeli brand, and it is an honor to be able to present its latest incarnation – The New Red to American and global audiences with the creative team at Counterbalance, who share our love for these wacky characters. and the unique world that they inhibit, ”Stern said.
yes Studios has produced several other shows in recent years. Among these are “Fauda”, “Shtisel” and “Your Honor”.
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