Lionsgate, the independent entertainment studio behind some of the most successful genre movies of recent years, has taken MGA Ent.’s young fashionistas under its wing. The company has acquired exclusive North American home entertainment distribution rights to future animated and direct-to-DVD features starring the Bratz characters. In addition, Lionsgate has acquired from Crystal Sky Pictures the U.S. distribution rights to Bratz: The Movie, the first live-action feature film based on the popular line of fashion dolls.
The first animated title to be released under the deal with MGA Ent. will be Bratz Fashion Pixiez, an all-new direct-to-DVD feature scheduled for release in spring of 2007. MGA will support it and each subsequent Bratz direct-to-DVD feature with all-new lines of dolls and other toys based on the movies.
Lionsgate recently released Marvel’s highly successful direct-to-DVD animated features Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers II: Rise of the Panther. The company is again working with Former Marvel Ent. CEO Avi Arad on the live-action Bratz pic, which is being co-produced by Arad Prods. Arad is produing along with MGA’s Isaac Larian and Crystal Sky’s Steven Paul. Crystal Sky Pictures president Benedict Carver will executive produce. Sean McNamara (Raise Your Voice, That’s So Raven) is directing from a script by Susan Estelle Jansen (The Lizzie Mcguire Movie). Crystal Sky Pictures is financing the production.
Since its introduction in 2001, Bratz has quickly become one of the world’s foremost toy lines and girls’ lifestyle brands, giving Barbie a run for her money. In addition to the doll line, there’s a hit animated series on 4 KidsTV, a Bratz magazine, a number of DVD titles and videogames, as well as a top-selling album on the Billboard Children’s Chart and multiple lines of clothing, footwear and other accessories.
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