Rovio Entertainment has chosen Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver as its primary animation house for the production of the Angry Birds movie, the upcoming animated film based on Rovio’s global hit mobile game brand.
The film is being produced by John Cohen and Catherine Winder and executive produced by Mikael Hed and David Maisel; directors are Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis; the screenplay is by Jon Vitti.
Angry Birds is slated for a July 1, 2016, release and will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures.
Established in 2010 in the Yaletown area, Sony Pictures Imageworks has amassed a bevy of computer-generated animation and effects talent at its Vancouver studio.
“The Angry Birds movie will allow Sony Pictures Imageworks to employ more artists in Vancouver on a single film than we’ve had on any of our previous CG features,” said Randy Lake, executive vice president and general manager, Digital Production Services. “British Columbia is rich with animation and effects talent, and we look forward to further enhancing the production staff in our Vancouver facility.”
Angry Birds is one of the world’s biggest entertainment brands, starting in 2009 with the original mobile game that remains the number one paid app of all time. With more than 2 billion downloads, Angry Birds has expanded rapidly into entertainment, publishing, and licensing to become a beloved international brand.
The upcoming movie marks Rovio’s first foray into feature films, although fans have already been introduced to the Angry Birds universe with the weekly Angry Birds Toons animated series.
