The developers of the cult-favorite video game Oddworld are getting into the feature animation biz via a partnership with Vanguard Animation, according to Daily Variety. Lorne Lanning and Sherry McKenna of Oddworld Inhabitants are reportedly working with Shrek producer John Williams of Vanguard to produce Citizen Siege, an adult-targeted, CG-animated feature film.
More akin to The Matrix and The Terminator than the many kid-centric toons on the market, Citizen Siege is described as a dark political thriller set in the near future. Lanning will direct with Williams producing. Most of the production will be handled by Vanguard’s Vancouver facility, where the animated feature Space Chimps is currently in production for distribution by 2Oth Century Fox in 2007. Citizen Siege will not be a part of Fox’s distribution deal with Starz Media, which owns a 30% stake in Vanguard Animation.
Citizen Siege will be made for around $40 million with the aid of outside investments and foreign pre-sales being sought at this weeks’ American Film Market in Santa Monica, Calif. Oddworld Inhabitants also plans to launch a Citizen Siege video game property and is seeking a publisher.
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