Exodus Film Group has inked a seven-book deal with Simon & Schuster, whose Simon Scribbles and Simon Spotlight children’s imprints will release tyke tomes based on the upcoming CG-animated feature Igor. Produced by Exodus, the movie will be released by The Weinstein Co. in theaters nationwide on October 24, 2008.
Simon Spotlight also publishes books based on such popular animated properties as Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Monster House. Simon Scribbles last year debuted its premiere coloring and activity line with licenses and brands including Curious George, VeggieTales, Franny K. Stein, Sudoku and Holly Hobbie.
Animation veteran Tony Leondis (The Prince of Egypt, Lilo & Stitch 2) is directing Igor from a screenplay by Chris McKenna (American Dad). The movie tells the story of an evil scientist’s hunchbacked lab assistant with big dreams of becoming a brilliant scientist in his own right and winning the annual Evil Science Fair. Exodus has assembled an all-star voice cast that includes Christian Slater, Steve Buscemi, Jeremy Piven, John Cleese, John Cusack Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes, Jay Leno and Molly Shannon.
Igor is being produced by Exodus CEO John D. Eraklis, along with seasoned animation exec and Exodus president Max Howard, who has collaborated on such big-screen hits as Disney’s The Lion King and Aladdin, and Warner Bros.’ Space Jam and The Iron Giant. Eric Robinson is overseeing on behalf of The Weinstein Co., which has an all-encompassing theatrical and DVD distribution deal for North America and will also represent international rights.
