Two Join Rainmaker’s Escape Plan

Happy Feet exec producer Ed Jones will produce and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End lead animator Steve Nichols will direct animation for Rainmaker Animation’s first theatrical effort, Escape From Planet Earth. According to The Hollywood Reporter, production began last week at Rainmaker’s Vancouver facility. The Weinstein Co. is handling financing and worldwide distribution.

From Tony Leech and Cory Edwards, the writing team behind The Weinstein Co.’s indie animation hit Hoodwinked, Escape From Planet Earth tells the story of an alien prison break from Area 51. Leech is directing.

Jones, who received an Oscar in 1989 for visual effects work on Who Framed Roger Rabbit? gets producing help on Escape from Preston Stutzman of Blue Yonder Films, Jonathan Shestack of Jon Shestack Prods., Brian Inerfeld of Protocol and Gregory R. Little of Rainmaker Animation. Rick Mischel is exec producer, and Jeremy Stein will co-produce. Overseeing for The Weinstein Co. are co-president of production Michael Cole and Vp of production and development Eric Robinson.