Sounds Like the ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Directors Scored a Huge Payday for the Sequel
With a pair of Oscars now further burnishing KPop Demon Hunters‘ golden glow, Netflix is moving full speed ahead on the much-anticipated sequel to its most popular movie ever. And while co-directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans have said they’re already feeling the pressure to deliver on a follow-up, a new report suggests they’re getting paid handsomely, which will surely help offset at least some of that stress. And, frankly, they’ve earned it. Even before that dual win at the Academy Awards, KPop Demon Hunters racked up more views than the most recent seasons of Wednesday and Stranger Things, two of Netflix’s biggest series. The soundtrack also set records galore, and you soon won’t be able to turn a corner without seeing Huntr/x and Saja Boys merch plastered everywhere. In other words, the movie is a hit on every level.
So it’s not too surprising to read Puck‘s breakdown of how Netflix is rewarding Kang and Appelhans as they move into creating KPop Demon Hunters 2. “Because animation takes so long, the Kang and Appelhans contracts look more like TV showrunner overall deals than one-off film pacts,” the outlet explained. “Both are exclusive to Netflix for about five years, and together they are making about $10 million annually during the term, guaranteed, per sources.” And that’s not all: “Both Kang and Appelhans also scored a share of ancillary revenue from the franchise, including merchandising. And that starts now, so it includes all those makeup kits and glow sticks branded with the first film. They don’t share in the music revenue from the first movie—Sony made that deal with Republic Records, which released the soundtrack—but Kang and Appelhans will participate in music money on the sequel.”
The co-directors will also “consult on merch and offshoots,” according to Puck, which likened that oversight to the way their Netflix cohorts, the Duffer Brothers, keep an eye on all things Stranger Things. There’s also another interesting tidbit: while Kang and Appelhans are focusing on KPop Demon Hunters 2 for the foreseeable future—the movie’s not expected to arrive until at least 2029, probably later—Netflix has hopes of building a Disney-style franchise around its streaming sensation. With that potential in mind, “Netflix is currently looking for an executive to join its franchise management team and specifically oversee KPop Demon Hunters.” Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
