UTA Signs Chinese Producer, Buyer & Investor Fundamental Films

EXCLUSIVE: UTA has signed Shanghai and Los Angeles-based production, distribution and investment company Fundamental Films for representation.

Founded by Mark Gao in 2008, Fundamental Films was one of China’s biggest buyers before the pandemic, releasing films including American Hustle, Limitless, Lucy and the Taken and Transporter franchises.

The company acquired a significant minority share in Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp in 2016, releasing the French studio’s titles in China, as well as co-producing films, including the reboot of the Transporter series and fantasy epic, Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets.

UTA will provide strategic support in expanding Fundamental’s partnerships across film production and distribution, as well as identifying global IP, new business and technology investment opportunities.

Fundamental is releasing EuropaCorp’s upcoming action thriller, A Weekend In Taipei (aka Weekend Escape Project), starring Luke Evans and Gwei Lun-mei, in China this summer.

Commenting on the partnership with UTA, Gao said: “UTA’s forward-thinking and global contacts make it the perfect partner for our company in this next stage of our expansion.”

UTA will work closely with Gao and Fundamental CEO Ivy Hua across the company’s
two core business arms of entertainment production and investment. The U.S. agency will also support the company’s on-going development and acquisition of international projects (non-Chinese language) suitable for the Chinese market, including features, documentary films, IP content, as well as new technology.