Vanguard Animation and IDT Ent. have announced the launch of production of their CG-animated feature film, SPACE CHIMPS, which will be distributed domestically through IDT Ent.s multi-picture deal with Twentieth Century Fox. The comedy follows the galactic misadventures of a hapless descendant of the first chimps in space.
We have developed this project over the past several years with extremely talented writers and I'm thrilled with the result, says the films producer and Vanguard ceo John H. Williams. We've put enormous time and creative energy into the evolution of the characters, the look of the film, and the story arc, and we're convinced we have a franchise film."
Were delighted that SPACE CHIMPS is now underway, says Morris Berger, IDT Ent. ceo. This comedic family entertainment has everything we look for in the films we produce including enthralling storytelling and engaging characters. Were looking forward to a terrific collaborative experience.
Norton Virgien (THE RUGRATS MOVIE, RUGRATS GO WILD!) and Donovan Cook (MICKEY, DONALD, GOOFY: THE THREE MOUSEKETEERS) will direct. The writer is Kirk DeMicco, whose credits include last years comedy RACING STRIPES, THE TWITS, in development for Vanguard/Disney (co-writing with John Cleese) and the upcoming CROOD AWAKENING for Aardman and DreamWorks. Other writers are Jason Venokur, Dave Goetsch and Ross Venokur.
Extensive character design and storyboarding are underway in Vancouver, BC at IDT Ent. and Vanguards state-of-the-art CG animation studio.
Williams is producing with Curtis Augspurger serving as co-producer, Tom Jacomb as associate producer and Eric Bennett and Neil Braun as exec producers for Vanguard Animation. Berger, Stephen R. Brown, Janet Healy and Jerry Davis are exec producers for IDT Ent. SPACE CHIMPS is an IDT Ent. presentation of a Vanguard Animation film. Odyssey Ent. has sold the film in all major international territories.
Neil Braun, IDT Ent.s president of feature films and television, serves as president/coo of Vanguard Animation. IDT Ent. owns approximately 23% of Vanguard Animation.
Vanguard Animation/Vanguard Films is a film and animation production company. Vanguards first independently financed animated feature film, VALIANT, was distributed domestically by Disney in 2005 and debuted on DVD in December 2005.
IDT Ent. is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content. IDT Ent. is a division of IDT Corp. , an international telecom, entertainment and technology company.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
