TL;DR, David Derrick Jr. and John Aoshima have been confirmed as directors on the Hollywood Hello Kitty movie. Ramsey Naito is producing, Jeff Chan wrote the current script, and the film is scheduled for July 21, 2028.

Hollywood’s Hello Kitty film has locked its directing team. David Derrick Jr. and John Aoshima will lead the feature, with Ramsey Naito producing and Jeff Chan writing the current script.

The release date remains July 21, 2028. This confirms the Hello Kitty movie directors after earlier listings shifted. The update matters for fans tracking Sanrio’s big-screen plans.

With leadership in place, creative decisions can sharpen around tone, characters, and schedule. It also replaces earlier reports that had Leo Matsuda attached to direct.

Who is directing the Hello Kitty movie

Hollywood’s Hello Kitty movie set a July 21, 2028 premiere date last October. The new update confirms two directors for the feature. David Derrick Jr.

(Moana 2) and John Aoshima (Ultraman: Rising) are now at the helm. They are the confirmed Hello Kitty movie directors at this stage. The project previously listed Leo Matsuda as director, but whether he remains involved is not yet confirmed.

Variety shared the update and the current team details.

Here are the confirmed credits on the project to date:

• Directors: David Derrick Jr. (Moana 2) and John Aoshima (Ultraman: Rising)
• Producer: Ramsey Naito, former Paramount Animation president
• Screenplay: Jeff Chan handles the current version
• Treatment: Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon
• Earlier script drafts: Dana Fox, Katie Dippold, Adam Sztykiel, Jenny Jaffe, Lindsey Beer, and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson
• Premiere date: July 21, 2028

Hello Kitty, whose real name is Kitty White, first debuted in 1974 and was created by Yuko Shimizu. Sanrio has introduced many companion characters since, and has licensed rights to Gudetama, My Melody, and Little Twin Stars. It is not yet confirmed who else will make an appearance.

With Derrick and Aoshima leading the film and Ramsey Naito producing, fans now have a clearer picture of the creative core, while Jeff Chan steers the current script after earlier passes by a wide roster of writers. As Variety notes, we will have to see who else shows up when Hello Kitty opens in a little over two years.

Why David Derrick Jr. and John Aoshima matter for Hello Kitty

Derrick’s recent credit on Moana 2 places him near large-scale, all-ages animation grounded in clear character arcs. That pairs with Aoshima’s work on Ultraman: Rising, a modern hero story built for broad family audiences. Together, these director credits suggest a focus on readability, timing, and heart, all essential for brand-first storytelling.

Hello Kitty thrives on gentle humor, expressive faces, and approachable stories. With experience from David Derrick Jr Moana 2 and John Aoshima Ultraman Rising, the Hello Kitty tone could lean toward clean visual staging and emotional clarity. That outlook supports a film that plays globally without overcomplicating character motivations or comedic beats.

Neither director’s past work guarantees specific choices here, but their track records inform expectations. Derrick’s background signals confidence with mythic scale calibrated for kids and adults. Aoshima’s experience suggests comfort balancing action, warmth, and comedy.

Used together, those sensibilities may guide sequence design, gag rhythm, and pacing that keep focus on Kitty White’s appeal.

• Character-first sequences could prioritize readable expressions and simple stakes.
• Action or set pieces may favor clarity over complexity for family audiences.
• Comedy timing likely stays light, warm, and slice-of-life friendly.
• Visual staging might spotlight silhouettes and iconic props for merchandise synergy.
• Music and montage, if used, could emphasize mood over spectacle.
• Cross-cultural accessibility may steer dialogue toward concise, universal beats.
• Story structure could track a tight, goal-driven arc with tidy resolutions.

What we know about the Hello Kitty movie release and creative team

The Hello Kitty movie release date is set for July 21, 2028, announced last October and unchanged with today’s update. Ramsey Naito producer credit is confirmed, and the Jeff Chan script is the current draft in play. The film is a Hollywood feature presenting Sanrio’s Kitty White on the big screen.

Before Chan’s draft, a treatment by Reno 911 creators Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon guided development. Earlier drafts came from Dana Fox, Katie Dippold, Adam Sztykiel, Jenny Jaffe, Lindsey Beer, and Tamara Becher-Wilkinson. Which Hello Kitty Sanrio characters join Kitty White is not yet confirmed, and prior reports listing Leo Matsuda as director have now shifted.

• Hello Kitty movie 2028: July 21, 2028 premiere date remains in place.
• Ramsey Naito producer: Former Paramount Animation president overseeing the film.
• Jeff Chan script: Current screenplay credited to Chan.
• Earlier writing path: Treatment by Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon.
• Previous script drafts: Dana Fox, Katie Dippold, Adam Sztykiel, Jenny Jaffe, Lindsey Beer, Tamara Becher-Wilkinson.
• Unconfirmed: cast, studio partner, animation medium, composer, rating, and plot details.
• Characters unconfirmed: Whether Gudetama, My Melody, or Little Twin Stars appear remains unknown.
• Franchise background: Hello Kitty, real name Kitty White, debuted in 1974, created by Yuko Shimizu.
• Status note: Today’s update confirms directors while other creative hires are pending.

Source: Crunchyroll