HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dolphin Films
announced today that Academy Award® Nominee Andy Garcia has signed on to the highly
anticipated, live-action franchise feature film "Max Steel," based on the popular superhero
property from Mattel. Andy Garcia will play the pivotal role
of the brilliant and mysterious scientist, "Dr. Miles Edwards."
"We're ecstatic to be working with legendary actor Andy Garcia," said Bill
O'Dowd, CEO, Dolphin Films. "Dr. Miles Edwards is a very complicated character,
and he is central to the entire mythology of Max Steel. The role requires a truly
talented actor, and there is no one more qualified than Andy to
tackle it."
Andy Garcia is one of
Hollywood's most respected leading
actors. He played a significant role in the 1987 blockbuster
"The Untouchables," and subsequently honed his multi-layered acting
abilities to earn several industry awards. Garcia has been
recognized for his work with Academy Award® and Golden
Globe® nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
for "The Godfather: Part III." He also co-wrote and appeared
opposite Richard Gere in "Internal
Affairs." He later teamed with an all-star cast for director
Steven Soderbergh's remake of
"Ocean's Eleven," and returned for the film's sequels "Ocean's
Twelve" and "Ocean's Thirteen." Garcia's recent work includes
voicing the character of Eduardo in "Rio 2." He can currently
be seen starring as Big Al in "Rob the Mob" and later this year he
will star in "Let's Be Cops" from 20th Century Fox.
"Max Steel" stars Ben Winchell (Disney's "A.N.T. Farm," "Necessary Roughness") as Max
McGrath™ and Ana Villafane
("Hiding," "Los Americans") as Sofia
Martinez. The film is being penned by Marvel Studios
veteran Christopher Yost ("Thor: The
Dark World"), directed by award-winning director Stewart Hendler ("Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn,"
"H+") with Academy Award® nominated family entertainment veteran
Julia Pistor serving as producer for
Mattel's Playground Productions ("Nacho Libre," "Lemony Snicket's A
Series of Unfortunate Events").
The "Max Steel" film is an
in-depth "origin" story packed with captivating characters and
fast-paced action. The plot chronicles the adventures of
16-year old Max McGrath™ and alien companion Steel, who must
harness and combine their tremendous new powers to evolve into the
turbo-charged superhero Max
Steel. As these two unlikely friends struggle to
accept their oddly connected fates, they begin to uncover
unimaginable secrets, working together to find the truth, and
fighting the mysterious forces threatening their world.
Principal photography for "Max
Steel" begins today in Wilmington, North Carolina.
"Max Steel," which is being produced
by Dolphin Films and Mattel, is slated for a wide theatrical
release domestically by Open Road Films in 2015. The film
will be handled internationally by Dolphin Films International in
partnership with IM Global, a worldwide leader in film distribution
and sales.
About Dolphin Entertainment:
Dolphin Entertainment
(Dolphin) is an innovative, full-service studio focused on
best-in-class storytelling for family audiences on a global
scale. Led by CEO and Emmy®-nominated Producer Bill O'Dowd,
Dolphin has created award-winning entertainment across multiple
platforms, working with talented content creators on programs seen
in more than 300 million homes and more than 100 territories
worldwide. Dolphin's television shows include the Primetime
Emmy® Award-nominated Nickelodeon hit series "Zoey 101," and
Nickelodeon's top-rated "Ned's Declassified School Survival
Guide." Dolphin Digital Media has produced multiple
Streamy-Award nominated projects, including "Aim High" starring
Jackson Rathbone and Aimee Teegarden (which premiered on AOL), "H+:
The Digital Series" from Bryan
Singer (which premiered on YouTube), and "Cybergeddon" from
Anthony E. Zuiker (which premiered
on Yahoo). Dolphin Entertainment launched Dolphin Films, its
feature film division, in 2013.
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
produced, Hot Wheels®, Max Steel™, Monster High®, American Girl®,
Thomas & Friends® and Fisher-Price® brands, including Little
People® and Power Wheels®, as well as a wide array of
entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2013, Mattel was named one of
the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by Ethisphere Magazine and
also is ranked No. 2 on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100
Best Corporate Citizens" list. With worldwide headquarters in
El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs
nearly 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 Max
Steel:
Developed by Mattel, Inc., Max Steel™
is an immersive franchise that brings a positive and relatable
superhero to kids, supported by a captivating storyline and
compelling multi-platform content for today's tech-forward kid.
Featuring an animated superhero series, Max
Steel draws upon turbo-charged teamwork, laughter and
friendship to help kids overcome life's obstacles — from the
everyday, to the out-of-this-world. With worldwide distribution
partners, the franchise launches include content and a robust
portfolio spanning toys, digital platforms and consumer products.
For more information, visit www.maxsteel.com
About Open Road Films
Open Road Films is a dynamic,
acquisition-based domestic theatrical distribution and marketing
company which annually releases a diverse slate of star-driven
motion pictures which has included multiple #1 releases. It was
founded in 2011 by AMC Entertainment Inc. (AMC) and Regal
Entertainment Group (Regal), the two largest theatrical exhibition
companies in the United States.
Open Road and its lenders recently extended the company's
$100,000,000 credit facility through
2018.
Past releases include: The Nut Job, which opened to over
$25 million at the box office as the
highest ever opening for an independent animated film, The Grey
starring Liam Neeson which opened to
#1 at the box office; End Of Watch starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena which opened #1 at the box office;
A Haunted House starring Marlon
Wayans; Side Effects directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Rooney Mara, Jude
Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Channing Tatum; The Host, based on Twilight saga
author Stephenie Meyer's
best-selling book; and Homefront, starring Jason Statham, James
Franco, Winona Ryder and
Kate Bosworth.
Upcoming releases include: Chef (5/9/14) written by, directed by
and starring Jon Favreau along with
Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, John
Leguizamo, Bobby Cannavale,
Oliver Platt, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Downey, Jr.; The Fluffy Movie starring
Gabriel 'Fluffy' Iglesias (7/11/14); and Eli Roth's The Green Inferno (9/5/14).
About IM Global
Stuart
Ford founded IM GLOBAL in 2007. The company is one of
the leading film financing, sales and distribution companies in the
world, championing a wide variety of cinema, including mainstream
commercial, art house, foreign language and genre fare. In
May 2010, Reliance Entertainment,
part of Indian conglomerate Reliance ADA Group, acquired a majority
shareholding in the company. The company has offices in
Los Angeles, London, Mumbai, Mexico
City, and Beijing.
Contacts:
For Dolphin Entertainment:
Wendy Zaas, 310-854-8148,
wzaas@rogersandcowan.com
Jason Magner, 310-854-8128,
jmagner@rogersandcowan.com
For Mattel Brands:
Bret Ingraham, Mattel Brands, 310-252-6396,
Bret.ingraham@mattel.com
For IM Global:
Bonnie
Voland, 310-777-3590, bonnie_voland@imglobalfilm.com
SOURCE Dolphin Films