OnTuesday Dimension Films co-chairman Bob Weinstein announced the studio hasacquired the rights to develop and produce an animated feature based on thefamous "Opus" comic strip character created by Berkeley Breathed. Theproject is the first to come from the newly established first look deal betweenDimension and Storyopolis Productions. Breathed, a Pulitzer Prize winner, isattached to write and direct.
The character ofOpus, a penguin, appeared in the first year of Bloom County in1980, and eventually appeared in his series of 11 best-selling cartooncollections, children's books, an animated television special, and an exclusiveline of collectible items created with American Greetings.
"Opus andthe great folks at Dimension Films are made for each other," said Breathed."Think of it: Opus is sweet, funny, smart and doesn't wear any pants atwork."
Breathed justcompleted directing an animated short film based on his book EdwurdFudwupper Fibbed Big. The film features the voices of Frances McDormand,John Cleese, Haley Joel Osment and a live action cameo with Jonathan Winters.
"BloomCounty was one of my favorite comic strips and Opus is great materialfor an animated feature," said Bob Weinstein. "Berkeley is such anoriginal voice and we look forward to working with him."
"Berkeleyis an enormously talented creator with a passion for both animation and liveaction filmmaking who offers a unique take on storytelling from his years as anauthor/artist and cartoonist," said Fonda Snyder, President of StoryopolisProductions. "Opus is wickedly funny and cynically affectionate and shouldappeal to the kid in everyone."
Fonda Snyder andDawn Heinrichs, co-founders of Storyopolis, brought the project to Dimension aspart of their first look deal. Michael Helfant, sr. exec vp, and Michael Zoumas,svp of development and production, will oversee the project along withco-presidents of Dimension, Andrew Rona and Brad Weston. Lori Sale, svp ofworldwide promotions, will work closely with the production to coordinate apromotional and licensing campaign for the film.
Helfant andAndrew Gumpert, svp of business and legal affairs, negotiated the deal on behalfof Dimension. Cliff Gilbert-Lurie of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca & Fischernegotiated on behalf of Breathed.
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