DC Comics, Warner Home Video (WHV) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) announced the start of production and distribution of DC Universe, a series of original, animated PG-13 movies. The slate features two to three action-packed films per year.
Talent on tap for the films include DC Comics creators, such as award-winning writer/artist Darwyn Cooke (THE NEW FRONTIER; CATWOMAN) and legendary writer Marv Wolfman (THE NEW TEEN TITANS), along with Bruce Timm (JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES) and Tom DeSanto (exec producer of the first two X-MEN films and producer of the forthcoming TRANSFORMERS feature). These producers have been instrumental in the creation of some of the most successful translations of the comicbook experience into other media. Writer/producers Duane Capizzi (THE BATMAN, THE BATMAN VS. DRACULA) and Stan Berkowitz (JUSTICE LEAGUE) will also be part of the creative team on the DC Universe films, with Timm serving as supervising producer.
Working with WBAs award-winning group of animators, the writers will utilize DC Comics vast history and tradition while adapting classic comicbook stories for the project.
WHV is the worldwide home entertainment distributor for all DC Universe movies. The first three films to be released in late 2007/early 2008 are:
* JUSTICE LEAGUE: NEW FRONTIER written by Stan Berkowitz (Justice League), with Darwyn Cooke serving as story and visual consultant
* SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY produced by Bruce Timm and written by Duane Capizzi, from a story by Timm & Capizzi
* TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT written by Marv Wolfman and Tom DeSanto, produced by DeSanto.
We are working closely with WHV and WBA to insure that the films honor the legacy of our great heroes," said DC Comics president/publisher Paul Levitz. "And we are lucky to have Marv Wolfman and Darwyn Cooke, two of the writers who created the source material for the films, involved in the project. The creators bring a passion for the material and a level of creative ambition that will resonate with both DC Comics fans who treasure the original stories and adults who love adventure, heroics and top-notch animation.
As producers of the finest animation in the action/adventure genre, we are very excited about bringing the iconic DC Comics characters to an ever broader audience through this series of films, said Sander Schwartz, president, Warner Bros. Animation. Weve teamed with the greatest authors, artists, producers and directors working in comicbook publishing and animation to bring great pictures to life for the current generation of fans and for many generations to come.
Other DC properties with films in development include Green Lantern, Flash and Wonder Woman.
We are thrilled to announce this unprecedented venture with DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, said Ron Sanders, president, Warner Home Video. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to bringing fans new and innovative content created by the most revered names in the comic industry.
DC Comics (www.dccomics.com), a Warner Bros. Ent. company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations.
With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video (www. Warnerhomevideo.com), commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Ent., Castle Rock Ent., HBO Video and New Line Home Ent.
WBA (www.warnerbros.com) has been producing award-winning original animation since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, SINKING IN THE BATHTUB. Since then, Warner Bros. Animation's characters have set the standard for innovative, quality animation. Producing for network and cable television, online, home video and feature films both domestically and internationally, WBA is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as maintaining the studio's rich cartoon heritage. WBA is one of the most honored animation studios in history, garnering a grand total of 34 Emmy Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents' Choice Award, a Humanitas Award, two Prism Awards and 19 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
