The Weinstein Co. (TWC) and Exodus Film Group announced at the Cannes Film Festival that they have formed a strategic alliance to jointly develop, produce and finance a slate of CG-animated feature films, DVD titles and television series. TWC, which previously picked up Exodus’ upcoming feature, Igor, will distribute the productions worldwide.

‘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,’ says 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,” adds Eraklis, CEO of Exodus Film Group. “I can’t think of anything better than working side-by-side with The Weinstein Co. to develop, finance and produce an animated slate of films.”

Igor will get a wide theatrical release on October 24, 2008. Directed by animation scribe Tony Leondis (Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitch) and penned by American Dad! writer Chris McKenna, the animated comedy tells the story of an evil scientist’s hunch-backed lab assistant with big dreams of becoming a scientist himself and winning the annual Evil Science Fair. The voice cast includes Jeremy Piven, Jay Leno, John Cusack, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Sean Hayes and Christian Slater.

Eraklis and Exodus Productions’ head Jean-Luc De Fanti will serve as producers on the films and series, with Exodus president Max Howard exec producing. Eric Robinson, VP of production and development, will oversee the creative aspects of the relationship on behalf of TWC. Headquartered in Los Angeles with European operations in Paris, Exodus will establish a New York office to facilitate the relationship.

Since the successful theatrical bow of Kanbar Ent.’s Hoodwinked, TWC has released the box office hit TMNT, and has taken on a number of independent CG-animated movies, including Escape From Planet Earth with Rainmaker Animation, Opus with Wild Brain Inc., Cricket In Times Square and Hoodwinked 2: Hood vs. Evil.