Fremantle Secures Rights to Fantasy Drama Hagen

Fremantle has secured the worldwide distribution rights, excluding German-speaking territories, to the new fantasy drama Hagen (w.t.), from Constantin Film.

Based on Wolfgang Hohlbein’s best-selling novel Hagen von Tronje, the story is a reimagining of the medieval Nibelungenlied folk saga. Hagen will be made into a feature film for theatrical release and a six-episode series for television.

It tells the story of Hagen, a soldier and Lord Commander ready to serve who is deeply in love with Princess Kriemhild, which is not permitted. His world is turned upside down when the Huns threaten to invade and the legendary dragon slayer Siegfried arrives. The king, determined to strengthen his kingdom, seeks a new wife, a famous Valkyrie queen with old magic powers. To secure her hand in marriage, he needs the help of both Siegfried and Hagen.

Gijs Naber (Blackbook, The Story of My Wife) stars as Hagen, alongside Jannis Niewöhner (Beat, Munich) as Siegfried. Lilja van der Zwaag plays Princess Kriemhild, Rosalinde Mynster stars as Valkyrie Brunhild, and Dominic Marcus Singer appears as King Gunter. In addition, Jördis Triebel (Dark) and Jörg Hartmann (The Weissensee Saga) support as Queen Ute and King Dankrat, respectively.

Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert (Pagan Peak/Der Pass) serve as directors. The script was written by Boss, Stennert and Doron Wisotzky.

RTL Group holds the German streaming and free-TV rights. Fremantle will showcase Hagen as one of its key scripted drama titles at the London TV Screenings on March 1.

The feature film is being funded by Filmförderungsanstalt, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, production incentives from the Czech Film Fund, German Federal Film Fund, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Government of Iceland, Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs. The series is funded by production incentives from the Czech Film Fund, Creative Europe’s MEDIA Programme, FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, German Motion Picture Fund, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Government of Iceland, Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be working with Constantin Film on this exciting new project,” said Jens Richter, CEO of international at Fremantle. “Hagen (w.t.) is a contemporary reimagining of the mother of all fantasy sagas—the Nibelungenlied. Prepare yourselves for premium entertainment with truly stunning production values, which promises to draw audiences into an immersive world filled with epic battles, love, power and betrayal; all delivered with striking visual integrity.”

Constantin Film’s Martin Moszkowicz, executive chairman, and Oliver Berben, deputy chairman, added, “The epic saga of Hagen (w.t.) and this hero’s journey is the basis of modern, cinematic pop culture narration. We are excited to bring this standout production together with Fremantle to audiences worldwide.”