AWN Headline News

Infamous AMERICAN HISTORY X helmer Tony Kaye is set to begin shooting the supernatural thriller, REAPER, according THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. The film chronicles the story of a tortured man who is visited on his deathbed by the grim reaper, who offers him a chance at eternal life, which will give the man the chance to search for his kidnapped daughter. Kaye intends to shoot the lead characters tale in HD video and the reapers tale on film. The netherworld will be photographed in black & white. The $20 million film has a cast, which will be announced at a later date.

Production and distribution company Maxmedia has optioned the film rights to the forthing Microsoft videogame KAMEO: ELEMENTS OF POWER, reports VARIETY. Maxmedia plans to team with SKY BLUE production house Sunmin Park, to adapt the animated feature. She and Jungmin Ethan Park are producing the film, which is set to being production next year.

Exceeding all expectations, CHICKEN LITTLE, Disneys first full 3D-animated feature, debuted with an impressive $40M for the weekend ended Nov. 6, 2005. It marks the best opening for a Disney animated feature since LILO & STITCHS $35.3M back in 2002. Apparently even adults flocked to the movie. In addition, the launch of CHICKEN LITTLE in digital 3D proved very promising as well, turning in an estimated $2.1M in 85 U.S. locations.

Paramount Home Ent. has greenlit the first feature length production of QUEER DUCK THE MOVIE from four-time Emmy award-winning creator and writer Mike Reiss (THE SIMPSONS, THE CRITIC). The original shorts were broadcast on the Net on Icebox.com and later aired on Showtime.

Though its not new for politicians to us animation in their campaigns, more and more politicians are turning to Web animation to get their message out, according to an AP report.

The often-satirical ads are cheap to produce and have the potential to be spread to many voters quickly over the Net.

YTV has announces its November 2005 lineup, which features the debut of an all-new episode of SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, Have You Seen This Snail?

Leading up to the premiere, YTV celebrates with two SPONGEBOB programming events, starting on Sunday, Nov. 13 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am, with back-to-back non-stop episodes of viewer favorites. Followed by The Zone on Monday, Nov. 14 where co-hosts Sugar and Carlos introduce back-to-back episodes dedicated to SpongeBobs special pet, Gary the Snail, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.