In an exciting collaboration, Zeta Studios, the renowned Spanish producer of Netflix’s hit series “Elite,” has entered into a partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios to develop Spanish-language webnovels from Latin America. The film adaptation of “Through My Window,” a web novel published by Webtoon, stands as Netflix’s fourth most-viewed non-English film.
Expanding Horizons
Zeta Studios and Wattpad Webtoon Studios have also agreed to work on projects in Spain, solidifying their alliance. This announcement came just before the start of the Content America event, a television market and forum held in Miami.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in Zeta Studios’ expansion into Latin America. Back in June 2023, Zeta Studios appointed Marcelo Tamburri, an esteemed TV executive from Latin America, as the Director of International Content. Tamburri, formerly with Warner Bros. Discovery, is based in Mexico City, the region’s powerhouse for television production.
Combining Strengths
Zeta Studios has already demonstrated its ability to produce the widely popular teen drama-thriller “Elite,” which has captivated audiences worldwide. Its partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios now grants it access to a treasure trove of Spanish-speaking authors’ works. Some of the notable webnovels in development for TV and film adaptations include “Boulevard” by Flor M. Salvador (99 million reads), “Perfectos Mentirosos” by Alex Mírez (130 million reads), and “Mala Influencia” by teensspirit (44 million reads).
A Shared Vision
Antonio Asensio, President of Zeta Studios, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “Agreements like this help us to strengthen our presence in the audiovisual market both in Spain and Latin America and reinforce Zeta Studios’ position in the current scene.” He also highlighted the importance of Wattpad Webtoon Studios’ platforms, which not only encourage reading but also provide a platform to discover new talent in the world of audiovisual content creation.
Aron Levitz, President of Wattpad Webtoon Studios, shared similar sentiments, emphasizing their commitment to amplifying and adapting Spanish-language content. Levitz acknowledged the massive fandoms that exist for these stories across the Hispanic world and commended Zeta Studios’ remarkable creative team and deep understanding of the market.
Uniting Forces
Wattpad Webtoon Studios emerged as a result of the merger between Wattpad, a Canadian online story platform, and Webtoon, an online webcomics company owned by Naver, the Korean tech giant. The studio has secured production deals with prominent companies such as Fremantle, Leone Film Group (Italy), Mediawan (France), Leonine (Germany), and Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial.
This collaboration between Zeta Studios and Wattpad Webtoon Studios not only strengthens their foothold in the Spanish-speaking entertainment industry but also ensures a steady flow of compelling content for audiences in Latin America and beyond.
Source: Variety