Starz Animation Toronto, Multiple Media Entertainment (MME), and Gigapix Studios are about to update a classic and beloved film in a new stereoscopic 3D production.
Its working title is OZ3D, and it's a $20 million high-tech adaptation of L. Frank Baum's classic book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Michael Taylor and Drew Craig of MME are Executive Producing. The script was penned by Connor Pritchard (co-creator of the new Comedy Central series Workaholics). The deal was brokered by Starz Animation's EVP Jeff Young.
Worldwide distribution for the film will be handled by MME. MME and Gigapix have entered into a US representation agreement with Gigapix Studios' distribution company, Gigapix Releasing, securing through its newly formed P&A fund, a minimum commitment of $10MM for a theatrical release on a minimum 1,000 screens.
Starz Animation's Rob Silvestri will be directing. Previously Rob created and directed the multiple award-winning animated short Ormie and worked extensively on Gnomeo & Juliet and the Tim Burton produced animated film 9.
According to Taylor, "Coming off the tremendous job that Starz Animation Toronto did on the hit CG animated feature film Gnomeo and Juliet, they were undeniably the place to go for world class production talent and experience to execute on such an internationally known and beloved property like OZ."
"We're thrilled to now step into the producing role and maximize the strength of our studio on all levels," Young added, "Creatively, the OZ3D project is hilarious, perfect for the modern audience and at the same time is respectful of the underlying material."
President of Gigapix Studios David Pritchard commented, "Working with Starz Animation and MME gives us an unparalleled combination of creative talent and executive experience that provides an excellent foundation for building a long lasting relationship to create and produce high quality animation for OZ3D as well as other projects to come."
CG-animation and Visual Special Effects studio Starz Animation is a partnership with majority ownership recently purchased by a Canadian investor group. Starz LLC, a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation remains a minority partner in the new Canadian operations.
Multiple Media Entertainment, founded by Drew Craig and Michael Taylor, is a full service media content distribution company with offices in Toronto and Vancouver, involved in all aspects of content creation, including co-development, co-production, distribution, product integration, branded content and barter distribution.
Gigapix Studios is a diversified independent entertainment company in California, encompassing film, television, new media, and distribution through the newly formed Gigapix Releasing.
Photo related to the Memory of the World Nomination United States of America - The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming 1939), produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Memory of the World is UNESCO's programme aiming at preservation and dissemination of valuable archive holdings and library collections worldwide. UNESCO is the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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