Worldwide Biggies Options Simon & Schuster’s Tom Swift

NEW YORK, November 28: The
digital entertainment studio Worldwide Biggies, founded by former Nickelodeon
and Spike TV chief Albie Hecht, has optioned Simon & Schuster’s adventure
franchise Tom Swift for a
multiplatform rollout.

According to Hecht, the
company will initially launch the franchise as a feature film, with additional
television and broadband rollouts to follow. The deal was brokered through
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of The Gotham Group.

Tom Swift chronicles the life of a teenage genius with vast
problem-solving skills and a knack for inventions. The Swift franchise consists of more than 50 book titles, and
has sold more than 20 million copies since its launch. The series was
originated by Edward Stratemeyer, best known for producing syndicated franchise
hits such as The Bobbsey Twins,
The Hardy Boys and Nancy
Drew, and were written by a number
of ghostwriters over the years under the pseudonym Victor Appleton.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Tom
Swift since I was a kid and those
exciting adventures have stayed with me over the years,” said Hecht. “Tom
Swift has a strong
multi-generational appeal and a proven longevity that has fueled the
imaginations of millions around the world. We are very excited to be bringing
the heart of the book series to new platforms and generations with all-new
original storylines and characters.”

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski