Weinsteins join Exodus

Igor will be their first movie, starring John Cusack, John Cleese

May 24, 2007

The Weinstein Company and Exodus Film Group announced that they will jointly develop a slew of CGI animated movies, DVD's, and TV shows. They're also talking Igor sequel

The Weinstein Company announced Wednesday, that they've hooked up with the Exodus Film Group to put together a raft of CGI animated movies, DVD's, and television shows.

The two companies' first collaboration will be the Exodus production of Igor, which is scheduled to hit theatres on October 24, 2008. That movie follows the adventures of a hunchbacked lab assistant (voiced by John Cusack) as he attempts to become an evil scientist himself and win the Annual Evil Science Fair. The Weinstein Company is handling the movie's worldwide distribution.

Jeremy Piven, Jay Leno, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, and Sean Hayes also voice roles in the flick. Anthony Leondis (Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch) is directing Igor, from a script by Chris McKenna (American Dad).

Eraklis and Exodus Productions chief Jean-Luc De Fanti are producing the movie, with Exodus president Max Howard as executive producer. Eric Robinson, TWC's vice-president of production and development, will oversee the creative parts of the collaboration.

"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," said Harvey Weinstein. "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," added John 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."

In order to work more closely with The Weinstein Company, the Exodus Film Group will open a New York office to oversee operations, in addition to their current Los Angeles and Paris (yes, the one in France) locations.

The Weinsteins have several CGI flicks in the pipeline, including Escape From Planet Earth, Opus (based on Berke Breathed's iconic Bloom County character), Cricket In Times Square, and Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil, the sequel to the 2005 box office hit.

Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing Division announced that it has also worked out a deal with Exodus to develop seven Igor children's books. The titles will be published under S&S's Simon Scribbles and Simon Spotlight imprints.

Fun Fact: Memo to the Weinsteins and Exodus: Isn't it the smarter idea to make sure your first flick is a hit before you talk sequel?

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