Imagi Animation Studios Enters into Global Distribution Agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures and the Weinstein Company

Imagi Animation Studios Enters into Global Distribution Agreement with Warner Bros. Pictures and the Weinstein Company

HONG KONG, Sept. 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Warner Bros. Pictures, The Weinstein Company and Imagi Animation Studios agreed upon principal terms for the worldwide distribution of the feature films Gatchaman and AstroBoy. The announcement was jointly made by Jeff Robinov, President, Production, Warner Bros. Pictures; Harvey Weinstein of The Weinstein Company; Imagi Co-CEOs Douglas Glen and Francis Kao; and brokered by The William Morris Agency.

The new pact builds on the success of TMNT, Imagi's first theatrical motion picture, also distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company. TMNT opened in March 2007 at the top of the U.S. box office.

"Imagi is breaking new ground with big action pictures done entirely in CG animation," said Robinov. "It's an exciting new genre, with the potential of attracting big mass market audiences."

"TMNT had the kind of beautifully choreographed action sequences you'd expect from Hong Kong animators," said Weinstein. "The next two films will confirm Imagi's reputation as the world's leading action hero animation studio."

"We are delighted to be allied with the marketing and distribution power of Warner Bros. Pictures and The Weinstein Company," said Glen. Added Kao, "We're making Hollywood-style movies with Hong Kong-style excitement and stories that are fusions of Western and Asian themes."

Gatchaman, scheduled for release in early 2009, originated in Japan in the early 1970s as the television series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Aired in the U.S. as Battle of the Planets and G-Force, it soon became a widely popular syndicated TV series.

Featuring some of the most ambitious action sequences ever seen in animation, Gatchaman is set in a future world grappling with environmental and technological issues. The story focuses on five reluctant heroes whose remarkable genetic code makes them Earth's only hope of defeating extra-terrestrial invaders. Kevin Munroe (TMNT) is the director, with Lynne Southerland producing.

Slated for release later in 2009, AstroBoy was created by the "god of manga," Japan's Osamu Tezuka, in the early 1950s. The animated television series first aired in 1963 in Japan and found great acclaim and success around the world. In the U.S., it quickly became a top syndicated children's show. The iconic character's fame grew in the 1980s and 2003 with two new AstroBoy TV series attracting new generations of fans.

AstroBoy tells the story of a powerful robot boy created by a brilliant scientist in the image of the son he has lost. Our hero journeys to find acceptance in the human world, and ultimately discovers true friendship as he uses his incredible powers to help others and save Metro City from destruction. Colin Brady (Toy Story 2, Everyone's Hero) directs, and Maryann Garger is the producer.

Imagi International Holdings Limited ("Imagi") ( http://www.imagi.com.hk/ )is a listed company (HKEx: 585) on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Imagi's principal business is the development and production of computer graphics ("CG") animated theatrical feature films. Imagi's first theatrical movie TMNT was released in March 2007, opening #1 in U.S. box office revenue, only the third time in history that an Asian-made film has achieved that honour. Imagi has development operations in Los Angeles, California, and CG production studios at its Chai Wan (Hong Kong) headquarters.

Enclosed are two photos of Imagi's Astro Boy and Gatchaman. The copyright on these images is held by Imagi Animation Studios, 2007.

   (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/HKTH003-a           http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/HKTH003-b )    Contacts:     Cindy Wu    Imagi Hong Kong    Tel: +852-3103-8901    Email: cindywu@imagi.com.hk     Asia Ireton    Imagi USA    Tel:   +1-818-986-3988    Email: asiaireton@imagius.com     Lydia Leung    Gavin Anderson & Company    Tel:   +852-2218-9960    Email: lleung@gavinanderson.com.hk     Richard Barton    Gavin Anderson & Company    Tel:   +852-2218-9988    Email: rbarton@gavinanderson.com.hk     Cecile Ablack    William Morris Agency    Tel:   +1-310-859-4452    Email: cba@wma.com  

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/HKTH003-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070927/HKTH003-b
PR Newswire Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Imagi International Holdings Limited

Contact: Cindy Wu, of Imagi Hong Kong, +852-3103-8901,
cindywu@imagi.com.hk ; Asia Ireton, of Imagi USA, +1-818-986-3988,
asiaireton@imagius.com ; Of Gavin Anderson & Company, Lydia Leung,
+852-2218-9960, lleung@gavinanderson.com.hk, or Richard Barton, +852-2218-9988,
rbarton@gavinanderson.com.hk; Cecile Ablack of William Morris Agency, +1-310-
859-4452, cba@wma.com

Web site: http://www.imagi.com.hk/

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Profile: International Entertainment