Renowned film producer Jeremy Thomas has died at the age of 77. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Oxfordshire this past Friday.
While his career spanned decades and genres, Thomas was a significant figure in bridging international cinema with Japanese creators. He is well-regarded in the anime and manga community for producing the 2017 live-action adaptation of Hiroaki Samura’s Blade of the Immortal, directed by Takashi Miike. His professional relationship with Miike remained active until the end of his life, with their latest project, Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo, scheduled for a premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this Monday.
Beyond his contributions to Japanese-inspired cinema, Thomas built a storied legacy as an independent producer. He famously won the Academy Award for Best Picture for the 1987 epic The Last Emperor and produced a wide range of acclaimed films including Crash, Sexy Beast, and Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence. His passing marks the end of a career defined by a commitment to bold, auteur-driven storytelling.
