SoftBank is forming a joint venture with Legendary Entertainment, the Hollywood studio, to use its content across various OTT/mobile platforms, particularly in China and India.

In addition, the Japanese firm is investing $250 million in privately-held Legendary. The size of the stake taken was not disclosed, although the Financial Times reported it as being “near ten per cent”.

SoftBank wants to exploit Legendary’s TV shows and movies across its digital and mobile platforms.

The studio was only set up in 2000 by former investment banker Thomas Tull. In its brief life, it has delivered a series of big movie hits, including Dark Knight, Godzilla, Pacific Rim and The Hangover franchise.

What’s noteworthy about Legendary’s output is that a relatively large proportion of revenue is generated from non-US markets, which clearly has attracted SoftBank.

Nikesh Arora (pictured), vice chairman of SoftBank and CEO of SoftBank Internet and Media, Inc. (SIMI) said, “Our goal at SIMI is to leverage SoftBank’s international platform and network of Internet and media partners to accelerate content creators’ digital strategies and extend their global reach.”

Arora has only just joined the Japanese firm from Google.

SoftBank was recently reported to be in talks with another US studio, DreamWorks Animation. It’s unclear if the conclusion to the Legendary deal will kill off other content investments by the Japanese giant, or whether this is the start of a spate of similar moves.