Kevin and Dan Hageman, the fraternal screenwriting duo who created the original story for Warner Bros.’ The LEGO Movie, have been tapped to rewrite upcoming DreamWorks Animation sequel The Croods 2, according to Deadline.
The Hagemans’ recent credits also include collaborating with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro on the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark film and Netflix original animated series Trollhunters — also from DreamWorks Animation and arriving in December. Their animation credits also include servicing as writers and exec producers on Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu and writing for WB’s upcoming Ninjago movie (Sept. 22, 2017), and co-writing Genndy Tartakovsky’s Hotel Transylvania for Sony.
The Croods 2 was recently pushed back by DWA’s current distribution partner, 20th Century Fox, to an undetermined 2018 date. This moves the sequel to the 2013 flick (which earned $587.2 million at the worldwide box office) out of the scope of Fox’s deal with DWA, putting it in new owner NBCUniversal’s hands.
Croods directors Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders are returning to the helm for this outing, which will see Leslie Mann and Kat Dennings join the voice cast.
NBCUniversal’s acquisition of DreamWorks Animation has been finalized, folding the studio into the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group — joining Universal Pictures, Fandango and NBCU Brand Development. The new owners have also revamped DWA’s leadership structure.
In a joint statement, NBCU Vice Chairman Ron Meyer, Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley and Universal Filmed Entertainment Group Chairman Jeff Shell said:
“The DreamWorks Animation brand brings with it a cachet that few family-entertainment companies can match. As we integrate its operations into Universal Filmed Entertainment, we are confident the first-class team we’ve put in place to lead various segments will build on that great tradition of success across film, television and related businesses.”
The estimated $3.8 billion deal awards DWA stockholders a payout of $41 cash for each share of common stock — outgoing CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg is reportedly pocketing $391 million from the deal.
Katzenberg will move into the position of chairman of newly formed DreamWorks New Media, which oversees NBCU’s ownership stakes in AwesomenessTV and NOVA. DWA President Ann Daly is stepping down from her post but will serve as an advisor during the post-acquisition transition.
DWA’s feature production group moves under Universal’s film labels and production partners umbrella, to be run by co-Presidents of Feature Animation, Bonnie Arnold and Mireille Soria, under Langley’s leadership.
The integrated DreamWorks and Universal television animation business will be overseen by Head of TV Animation, Margie Cohn, who will report to Shell. Vince Klaseus, NBCU Brand Development President, will head up the combined Universal and DWA games, digital content and consumer products organization, also reporting to Shell.
Corporate, marketing and distribution affairs will be fully meshed into the NBCU structure.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and DC Entertainment have unmasked the official trailer for upcoming animated feature Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. The campy cartoon features the voices of 1960s Batman TV series stars Adam West (Batman), Burt Ward (Robin) and Julie Newmar (Catwoman).
The trailer promises plenty of action — accompanied by sound effect balloons — as the dynamic duo face off against familiar foes, escape treacherous traps, and share important safety tips!
Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders will hit shelves November 1 on Blu-ray Combo Pack ($24.98 SRP) and DVD ($19.98); and will be available on Digital HD starting October 11 through major digital retailers and game consoles including Amazon, iTunes, Playstation, Xbox, Vudu, CinemaNow and Flixster, plus cable and satellite VOD.
Blu-ray extras include two new featurettes. “Those Dastardly Desperados” explores how the famous fiends Joker, Catwoman, Penguin and Riddler became American pop culture icons; and “A Classic Cadre of Voices” goes behind the scenes in the recording booth with both the new cast and the returning stars West, Ward and Newmar.
Synopsis:
It’s back to the 1960s as Batman and Robin spring into action when Gotham City is threatened by a quartet of Batman’s most fiendish foes – Penguin, The Joker, Riddler and Catwoman. The four Super-Villains have combined their wicked talents to hatch a plot so nefarious that the Dynamic Duo will need to go to outer space (and back) to foil their arch enemies and restore order in Gotham City. It’s a truly fantastic adventure that will pit good against evil, good against good, evil against evil … and feature two words that exponentially raise the stakes for both sides: Replicator Ray. Holy Multiplication Tables!
The movie is directed by Rick Morales (LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes – Justice League: Cosmic Clash) from a script by Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go!) and James Tucker (Justice League vs. Teen Titans), who also serve as Producer and Supervising Producer. Sam Register, Benjamin McIniker and Michael Uslan are executive producers.
The Visual Effects Society has posted the rules and procedures for the 15th Annual VES Awards. Changes this year include formatting modifications to the online instructions, the elimination of the printed supplemental written materials requirement, and a new awards category.
The date for the awards banquet and ceremony has also been announced as February 7, 2017. The VES Awards will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
For the 15th edition, Category 11 — which formerly included commercials, episodes and real-time programs — has been split into Category 11: Outstanding Animated Performance in an Episode or Real-Time Project, and Category 12: Outstanding Animated Performance in a Commercial.
The online R&P format has been modified to allow users to quickly find and access all necessary submission information in any category from the same page, with short summaries on each category page accompanied by a “click for details” button to open full instructions.
Additionally, a Statement of Intent has been added to the Student Award Category, clarifying the eligibility standards.
VES has eliminated the requirement to submit printed copies of supplemental written material with entries. Entrants are still encouraged to submit optional PDF supplements for posting on the View & Vote site, however.
The period of eligibility for entries is Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016. Submission will October 10, 2016, and viewing materials must be uploaded between November 7 and the submissions deadline of November 30.
The first home video original movie for DC Super Hero Girls has arrived, following its premiere at San Diego Comic-Con. Available now on DVD and digital from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year carries an MSRP of $19.98 and includes seven bonus features: All About Super Hero High, Fall into Super Hero High, Hero of the Month spotlights on Poison Ivy, Bumblebee and Wonder Woman; Clubbing, and Saving the Day.
Synopsis:
Move over, boys! It’s time for the girls to take flight in this all-new, groundbreaking franchise. Join Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl, along with fellow gal pals Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Bumblebee and Katana. Enrolled at the esteemed Super Hero High, the teens in training practice their unique abilities and master the fundamentals of becoming super heroes. As the students compete for the annual Hero of the Year prize, the ominous Dark Opal and his mysterious partner in crime target the girls and the school in their plot to rule the universe. Join the DC Super Hero Girls as they discover that the real power lies within each and every one of us!
ITV Studios Global Entertainment’s revamped series Thunderbirds Are Go has proven a hit across Europe, drawing strong ratings throughout France, Benelux and the Nordics. To meet this growing consumer demand, branded merchandise programs will launch in these three markets in September.
ITVS GE is working closely with master toy licensee Vivid Imaginations to bring its toys to these regions. The first items to launch will be flagship lines, including the Tracy Island interactive playset, Supersize Thunderbird 2 playset and Tracy Brothers action figures. Vivid’s roll-out will be supported by comprehensive marketing campaigns.
In France, Vivid’s toy line will have a special launch with Toys ‘R’ Us that will include dedicated end cap in all stores, back-to-school catalogue offers, website banners and a gift-with-purchase promotion for the winter holiday season. La Grande Récré will host end caps in 200 stores and will run an exclusive gift-with-purchase offer during October and November, present Thunderbirds Are Go content on its website and execute a parenting blogger outreach initiative.
In addition to Vivid’s line, ITVS GE is working with licensing agents to grow local consumer products programs. In France, where Thunderbirds debuted on Gulli in April, licensing agent Nelvana is developing a full line-up of merchandise, including storybooks from Hachette Livre (master publisher) launching in fall and back-to-school items from Kid’Abord in 2017.
In Benelux (broadcasters: Zapp Netherlands and Ketnet Belgium), Spin Master will debut its Air Hoggs collection in September. License Connection represents the brand in the region and has signed Meis & Maas as master publisher (books and magazines coming 2017), Jacob (boys’ bags) and Just Entertainment (DVDs).
And in the Nordics — where the show debuted this year on NRK Super (Norway), SVT’s Barnkanalen (Sweden), Juniori (Finland), Ramasjang and Ultra (Denmark) — Vivid’s toys will be distributed by TOPTOY starting this summer through its pan-Nordic retailer BR Toys and Toys ‘R’ Us. Local licensing agent Alicom is signing partners on for publishing, apparel, accessories and homewares.
Thunderbirds Are Go has sold to over 40 international markets, including in Europe, Japan, U.S., Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East; and signed over 80 licensees around the world. Season two will premiere later this year, with season three slated for 2017.
Sony Picture Television’s children’s network POP will launch on the U.K.’s Virgin Media later this week as part of a new long-term deal which also includes SPT’s MovieMix (contemporary hit films) and Movies4Men (war films, actioners, Westerns).
The new offerings will be available to Virgin Media customers on August 25, as well as catch-up on demand content for POP and Tiny Pop.
SPT’s flagship kids brand, POP is aimed at viewers aged 4-9 and features a mix of adventure-themed animated movies and TV shows, including exclusive programs like Power Rangers Dino Super Charge, Captain Flinn & The Pirate Dinosaurs, LEGO Friends and Littlest Pet Shop.
“Throughout this year we’ve been expanding our range of on-demand programming, and the addition of Sony channels provides a new range of content we can offer customers,” said Virgin TV’s subscription services director Pete Chapman. “We are also excited to be releasing new catch-up on-demand content for kids from POP and Tiny Pop and are excited about working with Sony on some new concepts.”
London-based educational entertainment studio EnablinGenius has inked a deal with broadcaster Ubongo to air its series Phonics School and Little Poets in Africa. Ubongo, which reaches 5.1 million households across Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, will add the shows to its TBC1 Tanzania programming.
“There is a tremendous opportunity for impact in education in Africa through edutainment. Many of the 440 million under-15s on the continent are missing out on chance for a quality education. Delivering edutainment via TV or other technologies already in homes is exciting and helps to address the attainment gap,” says Nisha Ligon, Ubongo’s CEO. “We are very excited about adding quality programming like Little Poets and Phonics School to our line up.”
Phonics School
Phonics School stars little alphabet characters called Phonikers, who must learn to master their natural powers to “tranformagix” into things whose words begin with their letter’s sound. The series teaches letter recognition, letter-sound association and shape tracing for pre-readers, and builds fundamental phonics skills.
Little Poets
Little Poets tells the story of Sam, Mr. Pirate and Blu and their love of words. The series promotes early literacy concepts through fun dialogue between three friends taking children on an adventure exploring words, literacy and poetry (nursery rhymes).
The 21st Century’s 100 Greatest Films
The BBC list includes animated treasures of the last 16 years: Pixar’s Finding Nemo (#96), Ratatouille (#93), Inside Out (#41) and WALL-E (#29), and Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away (#4).
How Wander Over Yonder Fell Through the Cracks The Mary Sue‘s Vrai Kaiser explores how Craig McCracken’s Annie Award-winning series became the red-headed stepchild of Disney TV Animation.
Legendary satirist and Grammy-winning artist Al Yankovic (a.k.a. Weird Al) is voicing the title role in Milo Murphy’s Law, a new animated comedy series premiering Monday, October 3 at 8 p.m. ET on Disney XD. The 2D series of two-part 22 minute episodes comes from creators and executive producers Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (of Emmy-winning Phineas and Ferb fame). Yankovic also performs the show’s theme song and other tunes throughout the series.
Ahead of the broadcast premiere, digital viewers can catch a full-length preview of the first episode on the Disney XD app, Disney XD’s YouTube Channel, and Disney XD VOD platforms beginning Monday, September 26.
The show centers on 13-year-old Milo Murphy (voiced by Al Yankovic), the great-great-great-great grandson of the coiner of Murphy’s Law: “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” Born with Extreme Hereditary Murphy’s Law condition (EHML), Milo is always expecting the unexpected. No matter what goes wrong – and it constantly does – Milo is prepared for every possibility, armed with knowledge, a backpack of supplies, and an endless sense of optimism and enthusiasm. With his best friends Zack (MeKai Curtis) and Melissa (Sabrina Carpenter), Milo can turn any catastrophe into an adventure.
Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) joins the recurring cast as high-level time travel agent Savannah. Previously announced cast members include:
– Christian Slater as Elliot, the school crossing guard and self-proclaimed “Safety Czar” of Jefferson G. County, who has made it his mission to protect the world from Milo
– Vanessa Williams as Zack’s mom Eileen Underwood
– Sarah Chalke as science teacher Miss Murawski
– Jemaine Clement as Dr. Zone, a popular television show character who travels through time with his trusty sidekick Time Ape
– Chrissie Fit as Amanda, an overachieving perfectionist in Milo’s class
– Vincent Martella as Bradley, Milo’s envious and pessimistic classmate
– Diedrich Bader as Milo’s dad Martin Murphy
– Pamela Adlon as Milo’s mom Brigette Murphy
– Kate Micucci as Milo’s sister Sara Murphy
– Mackenzie Phillips as Principal Milder
– Dee Bradley Baker as Milo’s dog Diogee
– Brett Dalton as high-level time travel agent Brick
– Gregory Michael Cipes as classmate Mort Schaeffer
– Sophie Winkleman as Dr. Zone’s sidekick, Time Ape
– Michael Culross as high school teacher Kyle Drako
– Kevin Michael Richardson as Coach Nolan Mitchell.
Povenmire and Marsh also voice pistachio protectors from the future, Vinnie Dakota and Balthazar Cavendish. The Disney Television Animation production is directed and produced by Robert F. Hughes, with Bob Bowen as director and Danny Jacob as composer and song producer. Scott Peterson is story editor, and Joshua Pruett, Dani Vetere, Martin Olson and Jim Bernstein, the Emmy Award-nominated writing team from Phineas and Ferb, serve as staff writers.
Jam Filled Entertainment — a full service Canadian animation company recently acquired by Boat Rocker Media — has purchased the principal assets of recently shuttered Arc Productions, effective immediately. The new office will mark Jam Filled’s expansion into Toronto when it opens with about 200 employees, and will add world-class 3D pipelines to the company’s capabilities.
Kyle Mac Dougall, President, Jam Filled Entertainment, and Jamie Leclaire and Phil Lafrance, Creative Directors of Jam Filled Entertainment, will provide the executive leadership and oversee production. Boat Rocker will continue to provide capital investment, business support and guidance to the entire Jam Filled team.
“Jam Filled, with the support of Boat Rocker Media, is committed to creating great animated content and we are excited by this new stage in the company’s growth,” said Mac Dougall, Leclaire and Lafrance. “We knew Boat Rocker’s investment would create new opportunities to do what we love while paving the way for us to create big waves in the family and animation space. The acquisition of these new assets allows Jam Filled and its growing team of extraordinary animators to show off our animation service capabilities, as well as expand our staff to work on new and exciting projects in the kids and family sector.”
Arc closed July 29 and entered receivership under Deloitte Restructuring. At the time, the studio was attached to a number of projects, including Mattel Creations’ upcoming TV movie Thomas & Friends: The Great Race, Zodiak Kids’ Kody Kapow (Sprout, 2017) and the Amazon Studios pilot Lost in Oz.
Founded in 2008, Jam Filled is a full-service digital animation studio headquartered in Ottawa, employing over 150 artists and animators working with a Toon Boom pipeline. The studio provides service animation for The Loud House and The Bagel and Becky Show for Nickelodeon, and created Numb Chucks for YTV.
Boat Rocker Media is a global entertainment company, and holds animation studios Jam Filled and Radical Sheep under its Boat Rocker Studios umbrella as well as a stake in Industrial Brothers.
Switzerland has selected stop-motion animated feature My Life as a Courgette (Ma vie de Courgette) from director Claude Barras to represent the country in the Foreign Language Film race for the 89th Academy Awards.
The film is produced by Geneva’s Rita Productions (under producers Max Karli and Pauline Gygax) in co-production with Blue Spirit Prod. in Paris, Gebeka Films in Lyon and Monte Carlo’s KNM.
“Ma vie de Courgette is an original film guided by luminous artistic direction,” the Swiss Oscar Jury said in its official statement. “It’s story is packed with emotion, marked by resilience and a hopeful vision of human society. Director Claude Barras and screenwriter Céline Sciamma succeeded in giving children a voice: While addressing children at eye level they still speak to all generations.”
My Life as a Courgette centers on nine-year-old Icare, called Courgette (“zucchini”), who makes his way to an orphanage after his mother dies, and is eventually taken in by a policeman. The film is based on Gilles Paris’ novel Autobiography of a Courgette, adapted by French screenwriter Céline Sciamma (Girlhood). Barras has previously directed the award-winning short animated films Chambre 69, Banquise and La genie de la boite de raviolis.
The first feature-length animation for Swiss director Barras, Courgette had its world premiere in May in the Directors’ Fortnight program at Cannes. In June, the film took both the Best Feature Cristal and Audience Award at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The Swiss-French co-production’s latest stop is the International Film Festival in Melbourne.
Bigscreen distribution rights have been sold to over 20 European territories as well as in the Middle East and Asia by global rights holder Indie Sales — U.K., U.S. and Canadian deals are under negotiation. Courgette will roll out in theaters in Switzerland next month followed by France and Belgium in October, and Germany and Italy in December.
Oscar nominations will be announced January 24, 2017. The 89th Academy Awards ceremony will be held February 26.
The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, has opened submissions for the 44th Annual Annie Awards, taking place Saturday, February 4, 2017 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Awards will be presented in nine production categories (including Best Feature, Broadcast Production, Short Film, etc.) and 22 achievement categories (Best Animation, Direction, Production Design, Music, Voice Acting, etc.).
Additionally, up to five honorary awards may be granted for lifetime accomplishments, philanthropy, technical advances, special achievement and meritorious service.
Entries must be from animated productions that were released in the United States between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. (Commercials, short subjects, special projects and student films are exempt from the U.S. release requirement.) The online submission portal is submissions.annieawards.org. Step-by-step instructions can be found at annieawards.org/how-to-submit; categories and rules are located at: annieawards.org/rules-and-categories.
Deadlines are also approaching to register for the Call for Nominating Committee Judges (Aug. 26); to become an Annie Awards Corporate Sponsor (Nov. 4); and to join or renew membership in ASIFA-Hollywood to participate in Annie Award voting (Dec. 16).
Creator and producer Outfit7 has confirmed a second season of its app-inspired animated YouTube series Talking Tom and Friends. The 52 x 11 season two will follow feline star Tom and his friends as they produce their own show out of a garage.
“We are thrilled to move forward with our second season of Talking Tom and Friends, right on the heels of the successful launch of Talking Tom Gold Run,” said Samo Login, founder and CEO of Outfit7. “The creative team, including animators, writers and voice talent, have all worked tirelessly to make this the best season yet, and we could not be more proud of the result.”
The entire voice cast has been confirmed to return, including Colin Hanks (Fargo) and Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants). Outfit 7 and arx anima are producing, with the new episodes to debut next year. Talking Tom and Friends: The Series is available on the Talking Tom and Friends YouTube Channel and the YouTube Kids app; new season one episodes are returning September 22.
The Victoria & Albert Museum of Childhood in London will be marking the final weeks of its special Smallfilms exhibition — Clangers, Bagpuss & Co. — with a celebration of the magic of stop-motion with “Lurching Charm: Animation Study Day”. The all-day event on September 24 will include talks on the history of animation, accomplished creative guests, gems from the museum’s collections and hands-on activities.
The festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration, workshop sign-up and pastries, followed by a 10 a.m. keynote by Prof. Paul Wells, Director of the Animation Academy at Loughborough University, on “A History of Animation in 100 Objects … or thereabouts.” At 10:45, Dr. Rachel Moseley, Director of the Centre for Television History, Heritage and Memory Research at University of Warwick, will discuss “Child’s Play: Material Aesthetics and Cultural Value in the programs of Smallfilms;” touching on classic series Clangers, Bagpuss and “forgotten” titles from the iconic studio.
At 11:30, “Re-making the Clangers” welcomes the Clangers 2015 relaunch co-director Chris Tichborne (studio director, Factory Create) and screenwriter Dan Postgate (author of Smelly Bill), who will reveal how they recreated the 1969 classic. Acclaimed puppet maker Ian Mackinnon of renowned studio Mackinnon & Saunders (characters for Fantastic Mr. Fox, Corpse Bride) will take the stage at noon to discuss “Creating lurching charm.” And at 12:30 p.m., folksinger Sandra Kerr will explore, with live illustrations, the musical elements of Bagpuss.
After a break for lunch, concurrent afternoon workshops and sessions on offer include “Drop-in: Gems from the Store” with Curator Will Newton (2-4:30 p.m.); “Paper Layers Zoetrope Workshop with ‘Cardboard Cameras’” (1:45-2:45 p.m.); “3D Zoetrope Workshop with ‘Cardboard Cameras’” (3:30-4:30 p.m.); “Magic Lantern Workshop with ‘Mirror Mirror’” (2-3 p.m.); and “Outside the Box Workshop with ‘Mirror Mirror’” (3:30-4:30 p.m.).
The day will wrap up at 4:30 p.m. with a raffle prize draw (courtesy of Coolabi). The Clangers, Bagpuss & Co. exhibition runs through October 9 at the V&A Museum of Childhood, with free admission.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that 12 distinct scientific and technical investigations have been launched for the 2016 Oscars. The avenues of inquiry are made public to allow individuals and companies with devices or claims of innovation within these areas an opportunity to submit their achievements for review.
The deadline to submit additional entries is Tuesday, August 30 at 5 p.m. PT. Claims of prior art or similar technology can be submitted at oscars.org/awards/scitech/apply.html. Under investigation are:
+ High-resolution digital motion picture cameras with sensors sized Super 35 or larger
+ Recent advancements in motion control software
+ Recent advancements in wireless microphone technology
+ Computer-printed, seamless scenic backdrops
+ Camera flange depth measurement devices
+ Shading programming languages for production rendering
+ Ray-tracing production renderers supporting physically-based shading and light transport
+ Real-time, vector-based drawing tools for sketching and markup in film production
+ Fast-reset bullet hit kits for live-action production
+ On-set, real-time, principal camera tracking technology
+ Electrodeless plasma arc lamps for motion picture lighting
+ Reconfigurable, rideable, life-size animatronic horses
The committee also will continue its investigation of rig-based solvers for tracking and animating deforming objects from image sequences, which it tabled in 2015.
The 2016 Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will take place Saturday, February 11, 2017. The 89th Oscars will be held February 26.
Secret Life of Pets Tops Foreign Box Office
Illumination’s latest offering is purring happily at overseas theaters, picking up $45 million from 53 territories over the weekend.
Japanese film producer-distributor Toho is planning the first-ever feature-length animated Godzilla movie which will come rampaging into theaters next year, according to Variety.
Godzilla is being produced by digital animation house Polygon Pictures (TV’s Transformers: Prime, Star Wars: Clone Wars and Ronja the Robber’s Daughter). The film will be directed by Kobun Shizuno (Detective Conan series) and Hiroyuki Seshita (Knights of Sidonia), from an original story and screenplay by Gen Urobuchi (Psycho-Pass: The Movie).
The new project marks the first time the iconic monster character will have a full length animated rampage in his 60-plus year history. “We’re aiming to make a big-scale animation entertainment that people who love Godzilla and people who know nothing about him can both enjoy.”
Decades ago, Toho was a producing partner in Hanna-Barbera’s Godzilla: The Animated Series, which originally debuted in 1978.
Polygon has launched an official site for Godzilla 2017 at godzilla-anime.com.
Having recently turned down a billion-plus dollar acquisition bid from ITV, Canada-based Entertainment One (eOne) has snapped up 100 percent control of interactive and emerging platform content producer Secret Location.
eOne had previously taken an equity stake in the Toronto company in 2014 as it expanded operations into the U.S.
Secret Location started out creating digital content to extend Canuck shows like Big Brother Canada and The Book of Negroes, ore recently working on expanded universes for U.S. series The Blacklist and Sleepy Hollow — creating a VR experience for the supernatural FOX show that won a Creative Arts Emmy last year.
Details of the deal should be revealed on Thursday in the U.K., where eOne is on the London Stock Exchange.
eOne itself has reportedly attracted acquisitive interest from private equity company KKR & Co. since rejecting ITV’s bid.
Cartman, Kenny, Stan and Kyle are goin’ down to L.A.’s Paley Center for Media, gonna have themselves a time as the South Park 20 Experience offers interactive fun to fans August 24 through September 25.
Debuted at San Diego Comic-Con, the South Park 20 Experience is a celebration of two decades of Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s smash-hit comedy. A life-size recreation of the show’s Colorado town offers a 2D/3D experience featuring 20 memorable moments from the show’s history and opportunities for fans to insert themselves into iconic moment for truly memorable photo ops.
In addition to the walk-through sets, the installation also includes an art exhibit featuring 20 distinct artists selected to celebrate the show’s landmark season with original pieces, curated by pop artist Ron English. Visitors can also take in a retrospective gallery of original animation cels from the pilot episode.
Free and open to the public, the set-up will also host screenings of select episodes from the first 19 seasons on the big screen. All 20 seasons of South Park are being added to the Paley Center’s extensive public archive.
