Miramax Acquires Rights to Pokemon

Miramax Films has acquired the worldwide theatrical, home video and television distribution rights outside of Asia to the next Pokemon sequel POKEMON 4: THE MOVIE -- CELEBI: A TIMELESS ENCOUNTER. Miramax also acquired the option to distribute the fifth picture in the series, which is currently in production at Japan's Shogakukan Productions. POKEMON 4 will be released in North American theaters in November 2002, and will then be distributed throughout the rest of the world. The film opened in Japan in July 2001, and has grossed $32 million (3.8 billion yen) to date, making it one of Japan's top ten grossing films of 2001.