Gribouille animating “Xcaliber” and “Micronauts”

Gribouille, a CGI production company based in Europe and North America, has begun production on two new computer-animated television series. “Xcalibur,” designed by French artist Philippe Druillet and directed by Didier Pourcel, is being produced in association with Canal +, Ellipsanime, France 2 and Cactus Animation for a targeted late 1999 delivery. “Micronauts,” based on an existing line of action-figures and Marvel comics, is being produced with Abrams/Gentile Entertainment, Kaleidoscope Media Group and Annex Entertainment, and may be ready as early as fall 1999. Gribouille is also partnering with Italian toy manufacturer Giochi Preziosi, on the production of a new “Micronauts” technology-based toy-line. Both series are green-lit for an initial 26 half-hour episodes, and will feature hyper-realistic virtual characters. Gribouille is also partnering with other companies such as Dimensional Media Associates, to bring this style of animation to different entertainment mediums.