OPEN SEASON: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE (opening Sept. 29) marks the second IMAX film with Sony Pictures Ent., following SPIDER-MAN 2: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE in 2004. OPEN SEASON, which also marks the first 3D-animated feature from Sony Pictures Animation, has been digitally converted into IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology, making it a more immersive experience akin to THE POLAR EXPRESS in IMAX 3-D.
Horror master Wes Craven (SCREAM, NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET) will make his next film as director for Rogue Pictures via his newly formed production company, Midnight Ent., which has made a two-year first-look production deal with Rogue.
Craven is writing the screenplay for the feature, a psychological thriller set in a small town and based on his own original concept. He will also produce the film.
Craven's longtime producer Marianne Maddalena is running Midnight, which will produce modestly budgeted genre films that other filmmakers will direct.
Twentieth Century Fox has obtained film rights to R.L. Stines children's book series THE ROTTEN SCHOOL, which has been published by HarperCollins Publishers and Parachute Publishing, according to VARIETY.
The humorous ROTTEN series is set in a boarding school where Bernie Bridges plots against his teachers and rival students.
The first book in the series was THE BIG BLUEBERRY BARF-OFF! The ninth title, PARTY POOPERS, is set for release in November.
Dimension Films has acquired the rights to produce O.C.T. - OCCULT CRIMES TASKFORCE, based on Rosario Dawsons (SIN CITY, CLERKS II, upcoming GRINDHOUSE, upcoming KILLSHOT) new comicbook series of the same name, which she co-created with David Atchison and Tony Shasteen. Dawson is also set to star in and produce the film.
Ford Lytle Gilmore will exec produce the film, with Atchison and Shasteen serving as co-producers and Gus Vasquez serving as assoc producer.
The IMAX 3-D release of SUPERMAN RETURNS, which has set multiple IMAX box office records, has now earned $22.7 million on 92 IMAX screens domestically and more than $7.5 million on 36 IMAX screens internationally. The IMAX release from Warner Bros. Pictures has now earned a worldwide total of $30 million through 13 weeks with an impressive per screen average of $229,000.
BlueArc Corp. announced that Starz Media, the animation studio behind EVERYONE'S HERO, benefited from the Titan storage system, equipped with more than 100 terabytes, to deliver more than 1,450 individual shots.
Autodesks 3ds Max and Maya were used extensively on this season's line-up of films. Using 3ds Max and Maya, digital artists created sophisticated 3D content for the live-action films TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY and WORLD TRADE CENTER, and also shaped the 3D-animated EVERYONE'S HERO and THE ANT BULLY.
Jim Caviezel is set to star in the sci-fi/adventure OUTLANDER, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Howard McCain, who wrote the script with Dirk Blackman, will direct for the Weinstein Co.
The story follows an intergalactic traveler that crashes on Earth with an alien predator on board during the time of the Vikings, who the traveler must get the help of the Viking tribe to kill the creature.
Paramounts JACKASS: NUMBER TWO debuted at the top of the box office chart with $29M for the weekend ended Sept. 24, 2006. Debuting in second place with $10.5M was JET LIS FEARLESS from Rogue Pictures (with vfx from Menfond Electronic Art & Computer Design Co.). Last weeks winner, GRIDIRON GANG, from Sony Pictures, slipped to third place, picking up $9.4M for a two-week cume of $26.9M. MGMs FLYBOYS (with vfx from Double Negative) bowed in fourth with $6M.
Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom, who moved over from Skywalker Sound to Pixar to direct animation, has helmed the animation studios latest short, LIFTED, about a bumbling alien student who attempts his first-time abduction of a slumbering farmer. The five-minute short will have its world premiere Oct. 12, 6:00 pm, at the Chicago International Film Festival at Columbia College.
Rydstrom, a Chicago native, will deliver a 90-minute presentation covering the pre-production of LIFTED, screen the film and discuss his education and career.
After nabbing James Camerons long-awaited AVATAR, Weta Digital is on the rise again: Twentieth Century Fox has chosen the Oscar-winning New Zealand studio to oversee vfx duties on THE FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Character actor Doug Jones (PANS LABYRINTH, HELLBOY and HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY) will provide performance capture work in the creation of Marvel Comics Silver Surfer in much the same way that Andy Serkis portrayed Gollum and King Kong.
Award-winning animation vet Tony Leondis will direct Exodus Film Groups CG-animated feature comedy, IGOR, which will be distributed by The Weinstein Co.
Leondis credits include Disneys HOME ON THE RANGE, DreamWorks THE PRINCE OF EGYPT and THE ROAD TO EL DORADO, and DisneyToon Studios KRONKS NEW GROOVE and LILO & STITCH 2: STITCH HAS A GLITCH.
Following the record-breaking success OF PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, Walt Disney Pictures has initiated another movie project based on a Disneyland ride: The Jungle Cruise, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
SMALLVILLE showrunners Al Gough and Miles Millar are in talks to write JUNGLE CRUISE, an adventure movie and potential franchise that is being produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman through their Mandeville Films label.
The ride was one of the 22 original attractions when the park opened in 1955.
BKN Home Ent. Ltd. announced today (Sept. 21, 2006) that its all-new CGI 3D animated movie, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, makes its U.S. theatrical debut on Nov. 4. Movie distributor Kidtoon Films will be screening the feature at some 100 U.S. theaters nationwide Nov. 4-26 during weekend matinees.
The Kidtoon Films program is a G-rated movie matinee event designed for kids and families with cartoon shorts, music videos and sing-alongs before the movie, complete with giveaways such as stickers, temporary tattoos, activity books or toys after the movie.
With the #1 opening of Columbia Pictures' GRIDIRON GANG starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Sony Pictures Releasing has launched 10 #1 movies to date in 2006 more than any studio has ever released in a single year.
DreamWorks Animation announced plans to bring the time-traveling adventures of MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN to the big screen. LION KING director Rob Minkoff will helm the CG feature.
Ive always loved MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN and am thrilled to direct them in their big screen debut, stated Minkoff, who developed the pitch for the film with longtime producing partner Jason Clark.
SURVIVOR producer Mark Burnett has purchased the feature-film rights to the children's fantasy book series THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL, according to VARIETY.
THE ALCHEMYST, Michael Scotts first volume in the six-part series, will be published by Random House Children's Books in May. Burnett hopes to produce the project, which he will start shopping to studios in the next few weeks.
Steven Billing, writer and co-creator of the Broadway-bound musical TUSK, says the production is headed for animation. TUSK is the award-winning musical, which was part of the 2005 New York Musical Theater Festival in Manhattan. Billing is in negotiations with a Florida-based animation company that is interested in developing it into a feature film. TUSK premiered on stage in Albany, New York at The EGG Theater and on Broadway the following year in New York City. Billing is in negotiations with three theaters to have TUSK on stage again in the early part of 2007.
Imagi Animation Studios has optioned rights from Tezuka Prods. Co. Ltd. of Japan to produce a new CG-animated feature-length motion picture based on the renowned anime franchise ASTRO BOY for theatrical release in 2009.
The new feature will be based on an original story developed by Imagis U.S. studio. Physical production will take place at Imagis Hong Kong animation studio.
New Zealand-based La Luna Studios has signed Academy Award-winner Robert Duvall to lend his voice to its upcoming 3D animated feature, THE MAGIC SHOES.
The comedy adventure takes place in Buenos Aires in the Latin district of La Boca. In addition to lending their voices to the lead characters, Duvall and his Argentinean wife, Luciana Pedraza, will serve as exec producers and advisors.
"It's a huge honor to have the Duvalls involved. They loved the story. It's a perfect fit," creative director Cris Casares said.
Jonathan Mostow (TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES) has boarded Universal Pictures long-in-development comicbook adaptation of Marvels SUB-MARINER, reports VARIETY. Mostow will rewrite the script and direct.
Created by Bill Everett in April 1939, the comic told the tale of a young man who learns that he's a descendant of Atlantis, eventually becoming a key player in a war between the underwater world and the land dwelling world, which is all he has known.
The voice cast has been set for THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, the 3D- animated feature from Universal Pictures, directed by stop-motion vet Mike Johnson (the Oscar-nominated CORPSE BRIDE), which marks the first production made by London-based Framestore Feature Animation, the new division of the Framestore CFC vfx studio.
Adapted from Kate DiCamillos award-winning childrens bestseller about one small mouses quest to change a kingdom, DESPEREAUX will offer the voice talents of:
Luc Besson (THE PROFESSIONAL, THE FIFTH ELEMENT) has told the ASSOCIATED PRESS that his forthcoming film, ARTHUR AND THE MINIMOYS, will be his last directorial effort. Besson plans to focus his energy on civic projects, including a foundation he is forming to help youths in France's inner cities.
MINIMOYS will open in France on Dec. 13, 2006, and in North America on Jan. 12, 2007.
"They are my 10 little babies," he said. "I love them all. I am pleased to have completed this cycle. That is finished."
Mick Jagger is set to co-produce RUBY TUESDAY, an animated film written and directed by Paul and Gaetan Brizzi, VARIETY reports.
The Rolling Stones singer will produce the film via his Jagged Films production company along with EuropaCorp, which will also handle distribution and sales of the film globally. EurpaCorp's Luc Besson and Pierre-Ange Le Pogam will co-produce.
Filled with 12 Rolling Stones tunes, the film will follow a single mom looking for happiness in New York City.
Jim Carrey, who played a live-action Grinch, returns to the world of Dr. Seuss as the lead voice actor in HORTON HEARS A WHO from Twentieth Century Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, reports USA TODAY and the trades. Meanwhile, Steve Carrell (THE OFFICE) will co-star as the diminutive mayor of Who-Ville.
