AWN Headline News

Epic Games and Electronic Arts Inc. have entered into a license agreement for EA to adopt the Unreal Engine 3 for use in several next-generation titles that are currently under development. With the largest studio operation in the world, EA employs a variety of engines, tools and technologies to best serve the needs of each game and development team.

Deep-voiced actor Tony Jay, whose many roles included villainous Judge Frollo in Disney's 1996 THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, died Sunday following microsurgery to remove a non-cancerous tumor from his lungs.

The British-born Jay, who provided voices in many videogames, was admitted to Cedar Sinai Hospital in April and had begun to recover both his breathing and mobility.

Universal Pictures has tapped NIGHTWATCH director Timur Bekmambetov to make his English-language debut with the sci-fi actioner, WANTED, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. James McAvoy, who made a big impression as Mr. Tumnus, the Faun, in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, will star.

DreamWorks Studios announced that Johnny Depp and Tim Burtons SWEENEY TODD, based on the award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical thriller, is set to begin production early next year for a late 2007 release.

In the co-production with Warner Bros., Depp will star as the titular Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald will partner with Richard Zanuck and John Logan to produce the screenplay adaptation by Logan (THE AVIATOR). Paramount will distribute for DreamWorks domestically and Warner Bros. internationally.

Cartoons are twice as effective as mothers at soothing the pain felt by children, a study has shown, reports THE TIMES ONLINE.

The research team at the University of Siena that carried out the study said that many techniques had been tried to distract children during medical procedures, like having a blood sample taken. They included hypnosis, relaxation and desensitisation, as well as toys such as kaleidoscopes, puppets and even virtual reality glasses.

Illumitoon Ent. Ltd. announced that it has licensed GET RIDE! AM DRIVER for release in the U.S. The series is an action-adventure drama that focuses on the exploits of a young group of warriors, known as AM Drivers, as they battle a dominating empire of machines. The series was developed by ADK, and is backed by Japanese toy company Konami.

Were thrilled to add this very exciting series to our U.S. launch, says Barry Watson, the ceo/president of Illumitoon. It combines ultramodern, futuristic technology with engaging excitement.