edonline
10-01-2004, 10:00 PM
http://www.zap2it.com/movies/news/story/0,1259,---23096,00.html
'Bloom County's' Opus Waddles to Big Screen
October 1, 2004
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Now that the Walt Disney Co. will end its deal with Pixar -- the studio behind the hits "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story" -- in 2005, it is seeking a new partner for CGI animation.
Disney's Miramax studio has signed a deal for its Dimension Films unit to co-finance and co-produce feature films from San-Francisco-based Wild Brain, Inc.
The first CGI-animated project will be "Opus," based on the penguin character from the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip "Bloom County" by Berkeley Breathed. Opus, the often ill-used pal of Bill the Cat and Steve, also appears in Breathed's subsequent satirical strips "Outland" and the current "Opus."
"There is tremendous demand for animated family films," says Miramax's Bob Weinstein. "We're impressed by Wild Brain's creativity, story-telling prowess, and sheer imagination and look forward to working together."
The new agreement also allows Miramax/Dimension to distribute Wild Brain's self-financed, direct-to-video productions over the next three years, while Wild Brain can access Miramax/Dimension's worldwide distribution pipeline.
Wild Brain is a leading creator of animated entertainment and boasts award-winning commercials, short films and television series, including the Disney Channel's "Higglytown Heroes." The company also has animation featured in "Rat Race," "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" and "Dudley Do-Right."
'Bloom County's' Opus Waddles to Big Screen
October 1, 2004
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Now that the Walt Disney Co. will end its deal with Pixar -- the studio behind the hits "Finding Nemo" and "Toy Story" -- in 2005, it is seeking a new partner for CGI animation.
Disney's Miramax studio has signed a deal for its Dimension Films unit to co-finance and co-produce feature films from San-Francisco-based Wild Brain, Inc.
The first CGI-animated project will be "Opus," based on the penguin character from the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip "Bloom County" by Berkeley Breathed. Opus, the often ill-used pal of Bill the Cat and Steve, also appears in Breathed's subsequent satirical strips "Outland" and the current "Opus."
"There is tremendous demand for animated family films," says Miramax's Bob Weinstein. "We're impressed by Wild Brain's creativity, story-telling prowess, and sheer imagination and look forward to working together."
The new agreement also allows Miramax/Dimension to distribute Wild Brain's self-financed, direct-to-video productions over the next three years, while Wild Brain can access Miramax/Dimension's worldwide distribution pipeline.
Wild Brain is a leading creator of animated entertainment and boasts award-winning commercials, short films and television series, including the Disney Channel's "Higglytown Heroes." The company also has animation featured in "Rat Race," "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" and "Dudley Do-Right."