In a major industry development, award-winning distributor Neon has acquired the U.S., U.K., and Australian rights to Hirokazu Kore-eda’s upcoming sci-fi drama Sheep in the Box, marking another high-profile collaboration between the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker and the boutique distributor known for championing cinematic auteurs. The acquisition comes just as Kore-eda begins production on the film in Japan, sparking immediate excitement across global film circles.
Sheep in the Box marks a significant creative shift for Kore-eda, who is celebrated for emotionally grounded films such as Shoplifters (Palme d’Or winner), Broker, After the Storm, and Monster. While he has always explored the complexities of family, identity, and memory, his latest project situates these themes in a near-future world shaped by transformative technology — a first for the filmmaker.
The film follows a couple who bring a state-of-the-art humanoid robot into their home and begin raising it as their son. Instead of adopting the typical tropes of artificial intelligence narratives, Kore-eda positions the story as a deeply personal fable about what it means to love, nurture, and understand another being — whether human or not. Early production notes reveal that Kore-eda was inspired by ideas of resurrection, artificial consciousness, and the philosophical tensions between technology and human values.
The title itself, Sheep in the Box, alludes to the iconic scene in The Little Prince, where the narrator draws a box and tells the young prince that his sheep is inside. Kore-eda reportedly saw this as a metaphor for imagination, belief, and the unseen emotional bonds that link people together — thematic threads that run through much of his work.
The film stars Haruka Ayase, one of Japan’s most respected actresses, who previously collaborated with Kore-eda on Our Little Sister. Joining her in a pivotal role is Daigo, a well-known comedian who will be making his first major appearance in a dramatic feature.
Sources indicate that their characters navigate an emotional journey that blends intimate domestic drama with speculative elements, allowing Kore-eda to explore familiar themes through a fresh and ambitious narrative lens.
Backed by some of Japan’s biggest entertainment houses — Fuji Television Network, Toho, Gaga Corporation, and AOI Pro — Sheep in the Box is shaping up to be one of the most significant Japanese productions of 2026.
Principal photography is currently underway, with Gaga and Goodfellas handling global sales.
The project has already drawn comparisons to other recent high-concept Japanese dramas that blend genre elements with emotional storytelling, though Kore-eda’s signature humanist approach is expected to set this film apart.
The acquisition also reaffirms Neon’s growing interest in curating a premium slate of international cinema. The distributor previously worked with Kore-eda on Broker, which premiered at Cannes and earned widespread acclaim. Their latest collaboration signals Neon’s confidence in the filmmaker’s ability to draw both art-house and mainstream audiences with stories that transcend cultural boundaries.
Over the past few years, Neon has built a reputation for distributing some of the most daring and award-winning global films, including Parasite, Titane, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Bringing Kore-eda’s next film into their fold strengthens their pipeline of auteur-driven prestige releases for the next awards cycle.
Although still in early production, Sheep in the Box has generated considerable discussion for its thematic ambition — blending Kore-eda’s signature emotional depth with a hybrid sci-fi framework. Critics and industry watchers have pointed out that the filmmaker’s shift into near-future storytelling could position the film as an unconventional standout on the 2026 festival circuit.
Kore-eda’s recent films have premiered at Cannes, and industry insiders expect Sheep in the Box to follow a similar path once completed.
Production continues through early 2026, with a planned domestic release in Japan later that year. With Neon onboard, audiences in the U.S., U.K., and Australia can expect a coordinated international rollout shortly after its festival premiere.
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