The Weinstein Company is pleased to announce that they have formed a strategic alliance with Exodus Film Group to jointly develop, produce and finance a multi-picture slate of CG-animated feature films, DVDs, and television series. TWC will distribute the titles worldwide. The joint announcement was made today by Harvey Weinstein, Co- Chairman of The Weinstein Company and John D. Eraklis, CEO of Exodus Film Group.
TWC is handling worldwide distribution for Exodus' much-anticipated CG- animated film Igor, which is set for a wide theatrical release on October 24, 2008.
Harvey Weinstein stated, "With our first collaboration Igor looking so strong we thought the timing was right to further the relationship and to begin work on an Igor sequel. John Eraklis and his team, led by Max Howard, have the unique ability to create dynamic animated entertainment that attracts kids, parents and everyone in between."
"We've enjoyed a wonderful working relationship with Harvey Weinstein, Eric Robinson, and Glen Basner," said Eraklis. "I can't think of anything better than working side by side with The Weinstein Company to develop, finance and produce an animated slate of films."
Igor is a playfully irreverent comedy that brings a new twist to the classic monster genre. It tells the story of an evil scientist's hunch backed lab assistant with big dreams of becoming a scientist himself and winning the annual Evil Science Fair. The stellar voice cast includes Jeremy Piven, Jay Leno, John Cusack, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Sean Hayes and Christian Slater. Award-winning animation writer, Tony Leondis, is directing the screenplay by Chris McKenna. Eraklis and Exodus Productions' head Jean-Luc De Fanti are producing with Exodus President Max Howard executive producing.. Eric Robinson, Vice President of Production and Development, will oversee the creative aspects of the relationship on behalf of TWC.
Award-winning global leader Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division announced a major publishing deal this month with Exodus for seven Igor books which will published under their Simon Scribbles and Simon Spotlight imprints.
Other exciting CG-animated projects for The Weinstein Company include Escape From Planet Earth, Opus, Cricket In Times Square and Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil the sequel to the box office hit Hoodwinked.