The Weinstein Co. has acquired the North American distribution rights to Exodus Film Groups CG-animated feature comedy IGOR. Chris McKenna (TVs AMERICAN DAD) wrote the screenplay and John D. Eraklis is set to produce. Seasoned animation exec Max Howard, who has collaborated on such animated blockbusters as THE LION KING, ALADDIN, SPACE JAM and THE IRON GIANT, will exec produce.
The film is a new twist to the classic monster genre, following a mad scientists hunchbacked lab assistant who has big dreams of becoming a scientist in his own right and winning the coveted first place award at the annual Evil Science Fair.
The Weinstein Co. co-chairman, Harvey Weinstein, stated, On the heels of the great success of HOODWINKED, my brother and I are thrilled to be involved with another exciting independent animation project with outstanding filmmakers.
With such an incredible distribution and marketing track-record, were excited to be working with the Weinsteins, said Exodus president John D. Eraklis.
Other upcoming Weinstein Co. CG-animated projects include DOOGAL (released in U.K. as SPRUNG: THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT), which is being released in theaters in the U.S. on Feb. 24, 2006, the fourth installment to the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE franchise, OPUS, CRICKET IN TIMES SQUARE and HOOD VS. EVIL, the sequel to HOODWINKED.
Exodus upcoming animated short IGOR: UNHOLY FRIJOLES features Christian Slater voicing the title character, Igor, along with Jay Leno as Brian the Brain, Steve Buscemi as Scamper the Lab Rabbit and John Cleese as Dr. Glickenstein. There is no cast or director attached to the feature yet. IGOR is in pre-production. Exodus CG-animated slate also includes THE HERO OF COLOR CITY and AMARILLO ARMADILLO with Howard set to exec produce.
Eric Robinson, director of production and development, brought the project to The Weinstein Co. and will oversee it on behalf of TWC. Barry Littman, evp of business and legal affairs, and Michal Podell, vp of international business and legal affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of The Weinstein Co. Todd Stern from Weissman & Wolf negotiated the deal on behalf of Exodus Film Group. Exodus is represented by ICM.
The Weinstein Co. was created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films Corp. in 1979. TWC is a multi-media company that officially launched on October 1, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that was founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, is also included under the TWC banner. Led by president/ceo John D. Eraklis, Exodus Film Group was founded in 2001 in an effort to create a one-stop entertainment company capable of producing content equal in quality to the studios and networks on a realistic budget. Exodus acquires, develops and finances intellectual properties, taking them from inception to distribution. Exodus' project emphasis is on family-oriented films with CG-animation content.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
