Right on the heels of Dimension Films announement it had acquired the rights to produce O.C.T. - OCCULT CRIMES TASKFORCE, the production company has signed a two-picture deal with Seth Green and Matthew Senreichs Stoopid Monkey Prods. The deal includes a stop-motion, animated holiday feature, NAUGHTY OR NICE, and a live-action untitled comedy.
The ROBOT CHICKEN, duo who created, exec produce, write and direct Cartoon Networks Adult Swim stop-motion animated show will produce both projects in their Stoopid Monkey Prods.' first foray into film.
NAUGHTY OR NICE will be produced by Green, Senreich and DC comicbook writer Geoff Johns with Senreich and Johns also penning and co-directing. Green will direct the voiceovers, plus provide the voice of at least one of the main characters. Corey Campodonico and Alex Bulkleys Shadowmachine Films, which also produces ROBOT CHICKEN, will produce the animation at their Los Angeles animation production studio.
The second project, a live-action untitled comedy, will be written by Tom Root, co-head writer/co-producer/director of ROBOT CHICKEN. Root will produce the film, based on his original idea, with Shadowmachine, Green and Senreich.
Green has starred in films WITHOUT A PADDLE, THE ITALIAN JOB, PARTY MONSTER and all three AUSTIN POWERS movies. He also does the voice of Chris Griffin on Foxs FAMILY GUY. Senreich began his career at Wizard Ent. where he was editorial director. He has written pilots for Fox. He and Green created and exec produced a series for Sonys website. Johns is writing ACTION COMICS with Richard Donner for DC and he won this years Wizard Magazine Award for Favorite Writer. He and David Goyer co-created/wrote/produced BLADE: THE SERIES, for Spike TV. Shadowmachine also produces Cartoon Networks Adult Swim show, MORAL OREL.
Richard Saperstein, president of production, Matthew Stein, svp of production, and Alex Franklin, director of development and production will oversee the projects for Dimension.
Seth and Matthew have come up with two incredibly unique projects that will showcase their talent to a wide audience, said Bob Weinstein, co-chairman of The Weinstein Co.
Green stated, For as long as I can remember, Ive heard that the Weinsteins make and distribute unconventional films without sacrificing quality. They are creator-friendly and were thrilled to be in business with them.
Saperstein and Andrew Kramer, evp of business and legal affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Dimension Films. Greens deal was handled by Endeavor, Trice Koopman of Koopman Management and David Weber of Sloane, Offer, Weber and Dern. Senreichs, Johns and Roots deals were handled by the William Morris Agency and attorney Allison Binder of Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson & Binder. Shadowmachines deal was handled by attorney Irwin Rappaport.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
