Drawn from Universal's crypt of classic monsters and updated with spectacular Broadway production values and special effects, CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON -- THE MUSICAL will rise, live, on stage at Universal Studios Hollywood beginning spring 2009.
A fire at Universal Studios on Sunday affected two popular backlot shooting locations -- New York Street and the BACK TO THE FUTURE courthouse square -- the KING KONG park attraction and countless copies of studio films and TV shows in a video vault, VARIETY reports.
The pre-dawn blaze is said to have burned three to four acres, but the full impact on shooting and theme park operations was unclear. A Universal rep said Sunday afternoon they had no information regarding future production in the affected areas.
Universal is moving forward on a screen adaptation of BOURNE author Robert Ludlum's novel THE SIGMA PROTOCOL, per VARIETY.
They have hired IRON MAN writers Art Marcum and Matt Holloway to write the screenplay, based on the late author's final novel. Strike Ent. partners Marc Abraham and Eric Newman will produce with Paul L. Sandberg.
THE SIGMA PROTOCOL is about a young investment banker who discovers a secret organization manipulating the global economy. When he attempts to expose the scheme, he's targeted for death.
You've seen the show, played The Game, watched The Movie. And now, yes, it's finally here. You can ride -- The Ride.
America's favorite animated family has arrived in Hollywood and Orlando -- with their very own mega-attraction. THE SIMPSONS RIDE is officially open at Universal Studios Hollywood, California and Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The new attractions plant guests smack in the middle of a brand-new Simpsons adventure -- a ride adventure so big, so funny and so thrilling it's no surprise it took years to make.
Interactive agency 65 Media has been named Webby Award Winner and People's Voice Winner in the Movie and Film category in recognition of its work creating www.SimpsonsMovie.com. 65 Media will be among the winners honored at the star-studded Webby Awards ceremony hosted by SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE's Seth Meyer in New York City on June 10.
Universal Studios has optioned Oni Press comic series RESURRECTION by ELI STONE co-creator Marc Guggenheim, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Universal's Scott Stuber is producing along with Eric Gitter of Closed on Mondays Ent., the producing arm of Oni Press.
The story centers around the aftermath of an alien invasion, in which the human survivors try to take back control of the planet.
Illustrated by Dave Dumeer, the comic was first published in October, with the third issue recently released.
Consistent with a company-wide initiative, creative teams at Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando have employed a variety of technological innovations in the design and construction of The Simpsons Ride -- opening at both parks in May 2008 -- and are ushering in a new era of environmentally conscious theme park ride construction.
The Simpsons Ride is a new mega-attraction based on the blockbuster movie and TV series.
Universal Pictures International Entertainment announced plans to release 29 titles on Blu-ray for the first time, unveiling a line-up of the year's most anticipated film and television content to be made available on the next generation high definition disc.
This major international debut, part of Universal's global Blu-ray rollout, begins on August 26 with the release of the top-rated, critically acclaimed NBC phenomenon HEROES Season 2. The announcement was made today by Eddie Cunningham, President of Universal Pictures International Entertainment.
Universal Pictures and indie comic book company Dark Horse Entertainment have signed a worldwide production and distribution agreement, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Universal is now the studio home of Dark Horse, which is one of the largest comic book companies outside of Marvel and DC.
It has access to all Dark Horse characters, properties and any material Dark Horse acquires on its own.
In return, Dark Horse projects have financial backing and a distribution entity.
Universal Pictures and Hasbro announced a six-year partnership to make at least four feature films based on Hasbros board games and branded properties, VARIETY reports.
MONOPOLY, CANDY LAND, CLUE, OUIJA, BATTLESHIP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and STRETCH ARMSTRONG are among Hasbros properties.
DreamWorks and Paramounts summer hit TRANSFORMERS (also a Hasbro property) paved the way for a sequel and the deal between Hasbro and Universal.
Universal Pictures has hired Joe Johnston, helmer of JURASSIC PARK III and THE ROCKETEER, to step into the empty director's chair on WOLFMAN, after the original director, Mark Romanek, left the project last week, reports VARIETY. Production is set to begin in London in March. Romanek left the project suddenly over budgetary issues.
Bill Desowitz previews some of the top movies that VFXWorld will be covering this year.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR UNRATED EXTENDED EDITION, arrives in stores today (Dec. 4) from Universal Studios Home Ent. ($26.98).
THE BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR UNRATED EXTENDED EDITION DVD contains an extended version of the two-hour broadcast event on SCI FI that includes all-new characters and more action and vfx than any previous episode in the popular series, as well as behind-the-scenes interviews with the series' creators.
S4 Studios has completed a new :20 3D-animated and live-action branding promo for Universal HD's XTREME SPORTS ZONE bloc of extreme sports programming. Directed and produced by S4 co-owner Geoffrey Kater for the client team of NBC Universal HD's SVP of Emerging Networks Dan Harrison and Director of On-Air Promotion Sarah Pierce, the initial promotions are focused on new series JEEP'S WORLD OF ADVENTURE SPORTS and the AST DEW TOUR.
NBC Universal Inc. and Jupiter Telecommunications Co., Ltd. have signed an agreement for NBC Universal to acquire Jupiter Telecommunications' subsidiary company JSBC2, and launch Sci Fi Channel on J:COM.
Under the terms of the agreement, NBC Universal will acquire 100% of the equity of Jupiter Telecommunications' subsidiary company JSBC2, which currently holds the broadcasting license for Reality TV on the SkyperfecTV platform in Japan. The deal is expected to close in April 2008.
Universal's direct-to-DVD feature THE SCORPION KING: RISE OF THE AKKADIAN has commenced principal photography in Capetown, South Africa. Universal Studios Home Ent. Family Prods. is co-producing with Film Afrika and ApolloMovie. Universal Studios Home Ent. is distributing on DVD in 2008.
Universal Studios Home Ent. Canada and Nelvana Enterprises announced today a seven-year sales services agreement with a potential two-year extension, beginning in fall 2007. The terms of the deal will see Universal manufacture, market and sell five properties on DVD for Nelvana Enterprises in Canada, including JANE AND THE DRAGON, GROSSOLOGY, DI-GATA DEFENDERS, RUBY GLOOM and a feature-length FRANKLIN movie. In all, the deal represents more than 150 episodes.
Universal has greenlit a bigscreen adaptation of Sid & Marty Krofft's LAND OF THE LOST, starring Will Ferrell, says VARIETY. Production will start in March.
Chris Henchy and Dennis McNicholas adapted the script, which follows a disgraced paleontologist, his assistant and a manly tour guide as they are teleported to a prehistoric world where dinosaurs, monkey people and reptilian Sleestaks live.
Universal has snatched up Leonard Hartman's action spec script FURY in a mid-six figure deal, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Scott Stuber and Mary Parent will produce out of their Stuber/Parent company.
The contemporary thriller follows a group of special-forces officers as they encounter supernatural events.
Jon Moan, who brought the project to Stuber/Parent, will shepherd for the company with Jeff Kirschenbaum doing the same for Universal.
In a first, fans of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA will be able to vote for their favorite DVD packaging of the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR UNRATED EXTENDED EDITION, which will be released Dec. 4 (Universal Studios Home Ent., $26.98). This follows the Nov. 24 premiere of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR on SCI FI Channel. The website www.scifi.com/battlestar will display a selection of three choices for fans to cast their votes now through 12:00 am midnight PST on Sept. 7. The final selection will be posted Sept. 14 on the site.
Universal Pictures International Ent., the international home entertainment division of NBC Universal, today announced key new appointments in its London-based management team.
Bret Johnson has been promoted to EVP, physical production at Universal Pictures, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. Johnson, who has held various posts at Universal since joining the studio in 1988, will continue to work with filmmakers on all aspects of physical production, including scheduling, budgeting, hiring crews and managing day-to-day production.
Angela Bromstad has been upped to president, International Television Production, NBC Universal International, based in London. Heading the newly created division as of Sept. 1, 2007, Bromstad will lead television production and strategic TV content partnerships across all territories and will be responsible for driving NBC Universal's international growth through increased local production, geographical expansion and new business creation.
Making its DVD debut uncut and digitally re-mastered is a Walter Lantz treasure trove: THE WOODY WOODPECKER AND FRIENDS CLASSIC CARTOON COLLECTION (Universal Studios Home Ent., $39.98), which lands on store shelves July 24, 2007. The three-disc collection features 75 zany adventures, including eight Academy Award-nominated shorts, and offers more than an one hour of vintage bonus materials, such as the doc "Walter, Woody and the World of Animation," behind-the-scenes footage and a full episode of THE WOODY WOODPECKER SHOW.
DreamWorks and Universal Pictures are teaming to make a live-action adaptation of the graphic novel COWBOYS & ALIENS.
Imagine partners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and Platinum Studios chairman/ceo Scott Mitchell Rosenberg with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are set to produce. Ervin Rustemagic and Rich Marincic will be co-producers. IRON MAN writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby are penning the screenplay.
