A new science-fiction franchise is making its debut at a major industry marketplace. “Kri8 Universe,” developed by filmmaker and production designer Uzair Merchant, will be presented at TIFF: The Market as it seeks partnerships and licensing opportunities with studios and streaming platforms worldwide.
The project encompasses five interconnected fictional worlds—Elixir of Life, Black Rose, the 8th Sin, Skye, and Vault X—populated by 16 original characters. After 14 years of independent development, the existing universe already includes three published books, nine soundtracks, films, screenplays, and games that have garnered over 1.1 million views and collected more than 30 international awards.
Merchant, who has contributed to major productions including “Deadpool 2” and “Fast & Furious 7,” co-founded K2 Media Capital with Gayathiri Guliani to commercialize the franchise. The mythology draws from themes of artificial intelligence, genetics, immortality, and humanity’s relationship with technology, while incorporating cross-cultural musical and artistic influences from Arabic, hip-hop, and Bollywood traditions.
The company is actively pursuing multiple pathways for expansion, including film and television adaptations, publishing deals, gaming versions, and merchandise licensing. According to Merchant, the universe is designed to evolve across different formats, languages, and global markets, offering partners a fully realized creative foundation rather than a concept requiring development.
Originally reported by Variety →
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