The Weinstein Company and Exodus Film Group announced that the first movie developed under their CG-animated co-production deal wiill be Navy Seals, a family comedy/adventure about a team of misfit seals who have to rescue a brave pod of U.S. navy dolphins in peril.
The story concept for the movie was developed in-house at Venice, Calif.-based Exodus Studio and the script will be penned by Justin Eick. Under the strategic partnership unveiled at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, TWC and Exodus will jointly develop, produce and finance a multi-picture slate of CG-animated feature films, DVDs, and television series. TWC will oversee distribution for all projects produced under this pact. This new initiative first began a year ago when TWC picked up worldwide distribution rights to Exodus’ first CG animated film Igor.
‘Our goal has been to develop ideas in-house that are original and dynamic and will resonate with audiences of all ages,’ says Exodus CEO John D. Eraklis who is producing the movie with Exodus president Max Howard. ‘Navy Seals is a hilarious adventure comedy inspired by the very real heroics that marine mammals have played in the defense of our country.’
Harvey Weinstein adds, “Navy Seals is the perfect way to jumpstart our strategic partnership with Exodus and build off of our exciting collaboration on Igor.’
Exodus production slate includes Jim Rygiel’s Bunyan & Babe, The Hero of Color City, which is in pre-production and will be distributed by Magnolia Pictures, and Igor, which is in production and will be released by TWC on Oct. 24, 2008. More information can be found at www.ExodusFilmGroup.com.
