Imagine Entertainment in JV with Animal Logic

Imagine Entertainment (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Curious George) has entered into a joint venture with Animal Logic Entertainment (Happy Feet, The LEGO Movie) to produce animated and hybrid family films.

The pact was announced by Brian Grazer, Imagine’s chairman, and Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian. The JV will develop, produce and finance six feature-length animation and hybrid animation projects over the next five years. Equity financing is currently being raised to fund 50 percent of the production and development during the five-year term. Target production budgets are between $75 million and $85 million.

Grazer remarked: “The animation space consistently outperforms other genres and we wanted to enter into that space by partnering with a company that is at the forefront of creative and technical achievement. Animal Logic is one of the industry’s most highly regarded digital production studios and I am excited for what we can create by combining our resources and talent in storytelling.”

Ron Howard, Imagine’s chairman, said: “Animal Logic’s work in the animation space is groundbreaking. Our partnership expands our mutually shared vision to create visually stunning, inventive and heartwarming stories that appeal to families. Their technical capabilities for animation are impressive and distinctive, and the possibilities for new material are limitless in this highly coveted space.”

“We could not have hoped for a more perfect collaboration than with Ron, Brian and the Imagine team to bring a slate of engaging and inventive stories to family audiences around the world,” noted Nalbandian. “We are inspired by the potential of our combined slate of projects and the strong relationships and material we will bring to our partnership. We have a tremendous opportunity to inspire the next generation of family audiences with groundbreaking and captivating content driven by our common passion for great storytelling.”

“Launching this animation partnership with Animal Logic is an exciting example of how the Imagine brand thrives in new content genres,” stated Imagine CEO Charlie Corwin.

“Partnering with Imagine will provide an incredible creative platform for the next evolution of our company,” added Robert Norton, Animal Logic’s chief business officer. “It will also offer amazing business opportunities for our companies and investors.”