HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Dolphin
Entertainment, Inc. and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT), have partnered
to develop the live-action, feature-length film "Max Steel" based on Mattel's franchise property
of the same name. The film will be produced by Dolphin Films,
a newly-formed subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment. Open Road
Films will distribute "Max Steel" in
the U.S. as the first of a multi-picture agreement with Dolphin
Films. The film will be given a wide release in theaters in
the fourth quarter of 2014.
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"Today marks the beginning of an exciting new relationship
between Dolphin Entertainment and Mattel, two companies that have
consistently worked to delight and entertain children all over the
world," said Bill O'Dowd, CEO,
Dolphin Entertainment. "We couldn't think of a better
property to kick off Dolphin's feature film division than
Max Steel, which tells a story of
the power of friendship and teamwork, with a heavy dose of humor –
all qualities we hope to bring to our partnership with the Mattel
team."
Dolphin Films' multi-picture agreement with Open Road Films will
focus on motion pictures aimed at families, tweens, teens and young
adults, which is a strategy that aligns closely with Dolphin and
O'Dowd's history delivering television and digital programming to
those demographics.
"Dolphin has an excellent track record in creating family,
tween, teen and young adult- focused entertainment," said
Tom Ortenberg, CEO, Open Road
Films. "We can't wait to work with Bill O'Dowd and his team to bring this product
to the marketplace."
"Launching our film division has been a natural progression for
us. Along with our established television and digital
departments, our theatrical group will complete our goal of having
a fully cross-platform production and distribution business," added
O'Dowd. "Open Road Films was the first choice for our theatrical
partner as Tom Ortenberg,
Elliott Kleinberg and Jason Cassidy are not only accomplished in the
theatrical distribution business, but also true
gentlemen."
Created internally by Mattel, the Max Steel™ franchise spans
multi-platform entertainment, toys and consumer products. In
development with Dolphin Entertainment the feature-length film will
introduce audiences to a new and never-before-seen world of
Max Steel.
"Teaming with Dolphin Entertainment and top Hollywood creative talent to write, produce
and direct the feature film, Max
Steel will excite and engage audiences around the world,"
said Doug Wadleigh, Senior Vice
President, Global Brands Marketing, Mattel. "Max Steel's debut on the big screen is the next
evolutionary step for the franchise utilizing a live-action
theatrical format to truly personify the brand."
Bill O'Dowd will produce the film
alongside kid's entertainment veteran Julia
Pistor who is producing for Mattel. Pistor's storytelling
and production expertise spans over two-decades with extensive work
in television, film and syndication for premier global
entertainment companies including Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment
and Viacom Enterprises.
"Max Steel is an action-packed,
character-driven story that fits perfectly into the creative
movie-making mold," said Pistor. "We have assembled a
world-class team in bringing Christopher and Stewart to the project
and collectively will tell the origin story of Max Steel in an authentic, visually compelling
way."
"Max Steel" tells the story of
teenager Maxwell McGrath and alien
companion Steel who can combine special turbo-energy powers to
generate sensational superhero Max
Steel. The storyline centers on bringing a positive and
relatable hero to kids, drawing upon turbo-charged teamwork,
laughter and friendship.
"Max Steel" writer Christopher
Yost most recently rewrote and did the production work on
"Thor: The Dark World" for Marvel and director Alan Taylor. He also wrote the superhero
adventure "Secret Headquarters" for Paramount and Stuber Pictures.
Previously, Yost was a member of Marvel's Writers Program,
where he worked on the first "Thor." "Max Steel" director Stewart Hendler recently directed and executive
produced "H+," a digital series for Dolphin Entertainment and
Warner Brothers Entertainment, winning a Best Director award and
sharing in a Best Sci-Fi or Action Series award at The 2013 Streamy
Awards. Hendler also recently completed work on the
award-winning digital series "Halo: Forward Unto Dawn."
Between them, "Halo" and "H+" have garnered 24 industry
nominations, thus far. He also manages an active feature film
career, having directed the studio features "Whisper" and "Sorority
Row," as well as developing several large-scale studio
projects.
Dolphin Entertainment has a long history delivering television
and digital programming to children and young adults.
Dolphin's programs can be seen in more than 300 million homes in
over 100 territories worldwide. Dolphin Entertainment shows
include the Primetime Emmy® Award-nominated Nickelodeon hit series
"Zoey 101," Nickelodeon's top-rated "Ned's Declassified
School Survival Guide," and in partnership with Warner Bros Digital
both AOL/Cambio distributed series "Aim High" starring
Jackson Rathbone and Aimee Teegarden, and YouTube distributed "H+:
The Digital Series" from Bryan
Singer.
O'Dowd has appointed Charles
Cohen, former COO of MGM Studios, to serve as President of
the newly-formed Dolphin Films. With Cohen at the helm,
Dolphin Films will produce all theatrical projects for Dolphin
Entertainment. Cohen is a 25-year veteran of MGM Studios, who
most recently held the position of senior advisor for Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corporation.
"I'm thrilled with this opportunity, as there is a tremendous
void in the marketplace of independently produced films aimed at
families and younger audiences," said Cohen. "The wealth of
experience that Dolphin brings from the television, digital,
branding, licensing and merchandising worlds will help accelerate
the creation of franchise properties within our feature film
division."
"During his long tenure at MGM, Charlie
Cohen worked on several large properties across multiple
platforms, which makes him ideally suited to lead Dolphin Films,"
added O'Dowd. "We couldn't be happier that Charlie has joined
us, as we feel he's the perfect addition to a stellar cast of
experienced executives involved in this partnership."
The Dolphin Films/Open Road Films deal was negotiated by
Ken Deutsch of O'Melveny and Myers
for Dolphin and Tom Ortenberg,
Elliott Kleinberg, general counsel
and executive vice president of Operations and Business Affairs,
and Ben Cotner, senior vice
president of Acquisitions on behalf of Open Road Films. The
introduction of Dolphin and Mattel was facilitated by CAA.
About Dolphin Entertainment
Dolphin Entertainment (Dolphin) is a forward-thinking studio
focused on best-in-class storytelling on a global scale for young,
always-connected audiences. Led by CEO and Emmy®-nominated Producer
Bill O'Dowd, Dolphin has created award-winning entertainment across
multiple platforms, and has worked with outstanding storytellers
including Bryan Singer, Anthony Zuiker and Dan
Schneider.
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT) is the worldwide leader in the design,
manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel
family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the
most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Monster
High®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, Fisher-Price® brands,
including, Little People®, Power Wheels®, as well as a wide array
of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named as
one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the
sixth year in a row. Mattel also is ranked among Corporate
Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." With
worldwide headquarters in El Segundo,
Calif., Mattel employs approximately 30,000 people in 40
countries and territories and sells products in more than 150
nations. At Mattel, we are Creating the Future of Play.
Visit us at www.mattel.com, www.facebook.com/mattel or
www.twitter.com/mattel
About Open Road Films
Founded in 2011 by AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMC) and Regal
Entertainment Group (Regal), the two largest theatrical exhibition
and entertainment companies in the United
States, Open Road Films is a dynamic, acquisition-based
domestic theatrical distribution company. Open Road Films' releases
include: The Grey, starring Liam
Neeson, which opened to number one at the box office in
January 2012 and has taken in over
$50 million to date; End Of Watch,
starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael
Peña; A Haunted House, starring Marlon
Wayans; Side Effects, starring Rooney Mara, Jude
Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum, directed by Steven Soderbergh; and The Host, based on
Twilight saga author Stephenie
Meyer's best-selling book. Upcoming releases include:
Jobs, starring Ashton Kutcher as the
legendary Steve Jobs, which will be
released August 16, 2013; Machete
Kills, directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Danny Trejo, Michelle
Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara,
Amber Heard, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga, Antonio Banderas, Jessica Alba, Demian Bichir, Alexa
Vega, Vanessa Hudgens, Cuba Gooding, Jr., William Sadler, Marko
Zaror and Mel Gibson on October 11, 2013; Homefront, starring
Jason Statham, Winona Ryder, Kate
Bosworth and Frank Grillo
with a screenplay by Sylvester
Stallone, to be released November 27,
2103; The Nut Job, the 3D animated family film featuring the
voice talents of Liam Neeson,
Katherine Heigl, Will Arnett, Brendan
Fraser, Stephen Lang,
Sarah Gadon and Jeff Dunham scheduled for release January
17, 2014; Sabotage, starring Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Joe
Manganiello, Sam Worthington,
Harold Perrineau, Terrence Howard, Max
Martini, Josh Holloway,
Olivia Williams and Mireille Enos, which is scheduled for
release January 24, 2014; and A Haunted House 2 (working
title) starring Marlon Wayans, the
sequel to the 2013 hit film A Haunted House, scheduled for release
March 28, 2014. More info on Open Road Films at:
www.openroadfilms.com, www.facebook.com/OpenRoadFilms and
@OpenRoadFilms.
Contacts:
For Dolphin Entertainment
Jason Magner
310-854-8128
jmagner@rogersandcowan.com
Wendy Zaas
310-854-8148
wzaas@rogersandcowan.com
For Mattel Brands
Bret
Ingraham
Mattel Brands
310-252-6396
Bret.ingraham@mattel.com
For Open Road Films
Liz
Biber
310-696-7599
lbiber@openroadfilms.com
Lori Burns
310-696-7519
lburns@openroadfilms.com
SOURCE Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.