Utopai Studios Launches With ‘Cortés’ and ‘Space’ Series, Partners With K5 and Opsis
▼ Summary
– Utopai Studios has rebranded from Cybever and is now a Hollywood film and TV studio, partnering with K5 Intl. and Opsis.
– The studio is led by co-CEOs Cecilia Shen and Marco Weber, with key team members including Jie Yang, Kirk Petruccelli, and Martin Weisz.
– Utopai’s first project is “Cortés,” a two-part film written by Nick Kazan and directed by Kirk Petruccelli, about Hernán Cortés’ conquest.
– The second project is sci-fi series “Project Space,” an eight-episode show written by Vanessa Coifman and Martin Weisz, who also directs.
– Utopai has exclusive representation from K5 Intl. and a strategic agreement with Opsis to enhance production using advanced technology.
Utopai Studios has officially launched as a major Hollywood film and television studio, emerging from the rebranding of Cybever, a company celebrated for its groundbreaking work in 3D world creation and video generation. The newly formed studio has already secured significant partnerships with international sales leader K5 Intl. and previsualization experts Opsis, setting the stage for a new era in cinematic production.
Leading the venture are co-CEOs Cecilia Shen, previously CEO and co-founder of Cybever, and media entrepreneur Marco Weber, who transitions from his role as acting chairman of Cybever to become a partner and co-CEO of Utopai. The core leadership team also includes Jie Yang, Cybever’s co-founder and chief technology officer, who continues as CTO; production designer Kirk Petruccelli, now chief creative officer; and filmmaker Martin Weisz, appointed chief workflow officer.
Utopai will focus on originating and producing its own high-profile projects, beginning with two ambitious offerings. The first is “Cortés,” penned by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nick Kazan, known for “Reversal of Fortune” and “Fallen.” Set in 1519, the project chronicles the daring conquest led by Hernán Cortés. The story will unfold across two feature films, each running 100 minutes, produced by Marco Weber and Nick Kazan, with Kirk Petruccelli directing.
Kazan expressed his long-standing ambition to bring this epic to life, noting that previous attempts felt impossible due to scale and cost. He emphasized that Utopai’s innovative approach finally makes it feasible to depict events from over five centuries ago with authenticity and grandeur. The narrative aims to explore the complex clash between Spanish conquistadors and the Aztec civilization, offering a bold and immersive perspective on history.
The second project is the sci-fi series “Space,” an eight-episode adventure described as “’Top Gun’ meets ‘War of the Worlds.’” Set in the future, it follows a team of young pilots defending Earth from an extraterrestrial threat. All episodes were written by Vanessa Coifman and Martin Weisz, with Weisz also directing. Executive producers include Marco Weber and Vanessa Coifman.
Weisz highlighted how Utopai’s proprietary technology allows the team to construct expansive, visually rich universes without the traditional budget constraints. This freedom enables creative risks and visual storytelling that were previously unattainable, revolutionizing the production process from start to finish.
In a strategic move, Utopai has entered an exclusive joint venture with K5 Intl., the sales force behind major films like Kevin Costner’s “Horizon: An American Saga” and Netflix’s “Anon.” Under this partnership, all Utopai productions will be marketed globally under the Utopai x K5 banner. Series will premiere at MIPCOM in October, while feature films will debut at the American Film Market in November.
Daniel Baur, CEO of K5 Intl., praised Utopai’s fusion of artistic passion and technological expertise, noting the timing aligns perfectly with a transformative moment in entertainment history.
Additionally, Utopai has forged a strategic alliance with Opsis, a previsualization studio with credits including “Game of Thrones,” “Captain America,” and “Wicked.” Henrik Fett, CEO of Opsis, described Utopai’s early demonstrations as extraordinary, emphasizing that their collaboration focuses on using AI as an efficiency tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. By integrating generative tools with established visualization pipelines, the partnership aims to expand creative possibilities while keeping artistic control firmly in the hands of filmmakers.
(Source: Variety)