Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. and Midway Games Inc. announced the signing of a multi-territory publishing agreement to develop videogames based on HAPPY FEET, a comedy adventure written and directed by George Miller (the BABE movies, LORENZO'S OIL, the MAD MAX trilogy), scheduled for release in November 2006. The multi-platform deal includes games for console, handheld and PC platforms.
"We're very excited to bring consumers top quality interactive games to accompany the release of HAPPY FEET," said David F. Zucker, Midway president/ceo. "This phenomenal license will attract younger gamers and serve as one of the anchors in our new line of family friendly games."
"Creating a quality game for HAPPY FEET will allow fans to extend their cinematic experience into the interactive space," said Jason Hall, svp of Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. "Expanding the film's creative story within the game will bring HAPPY FEET to life in a whole new way and create a great connection with young players."
Under the agreement, Midway's development teams will work in close conjunction with the Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. production staff.
The film is set in the land of the Emperor Penguins in the heart of Antarctica. These penguins sing, and each needs their own special song to attract a soul mate. The hero Mumble (Elijah Wood), son of Elvis (Hugh Jackman) and Norma Jean (Nicole Kidman) is the worst singer in the world, but he can tap-dance something fierce.
The all-star ensemble cast also includes the voices of Brittany Murphy, Hugo Weaving, Robin Williams and features the dancing of legendary tapper Savion Glover (BRING IN DA NOISE, BRING IN DA FUNK).
The film is presented by Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Kennedy-Miller Film. The movie was written by George Miller, John Collee (MASTER & COMMANDER), Judy Morris and Warren Coleman and produced by Doug Mitchell, Bill Miller and George Miller, with Graham Burke and Bruce Berman serving as exec producers. John Powell (SHREK, CHICKEN RUN, THE BOURNE IDENTITY) has composed the music.
HAPPY FEET is scheduled to be released in November 2006 by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.
Warner Bros. Interactive Ent. Inc., a Warner Bros. Entertainment Co., is a premier licensor and a developer of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including consoles, PC-based gaming and wireless applications.
Headquartered in Chicago with offices in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, Munich, Germany and London, Midway Games Inc. is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for major videogame systems. More information can be obtained at www.midway.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
