Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment To Publish Game Worldwide
Game to Capture Film's Signature Style and Action Sequences; Extends
Storyline Into Compelling New Chapter
LOS ANGELES, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures Digital
Platforms Group (UPDPG) is creating a video game based on Universal
Pictures' blockbuster action-thriller "Wanted", starring James McAvoy,
Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie. The game will be published worldwide by
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and is being developed by renowned
game developer GRIN, best known for its work on the Tom Clancy: Ghost Recon
Advanced Warfighter series and the upcoming Bionic Commando. The film,
which was released on June 27, 2008, has earned $192 million in worldwide
box office to date.
Based upon Mark Millar's graphic novel series and helmed by stunning
visualist director Timur Bekmambetov -- creator of the most successful
Russian film franchise in history -- "Wanted" tells the tale of one
apathetic nobody's transformation as he is introduced to a new life and new
powers that he never knew existed. With the film's successful release, the
world has been introduced to a hero for a new generation: Wesley Gibson.
"'Wanted' is a film with a fantastic visual style, an in-your-face
attitude and edge-of-your-seat action sequences, and moviegoers around the
world have resoundingly embraced it," said Bill Kispert, Vice President and
General Manager, Interactive, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group.
"From the time we read the script and saw the film's pre-visual material,
it was clear that 'Wanted' was a powerful property -- one that was well
poised to deliver an engaging gaming experience. We look forward to working
closely with the film's creative team to extend 'Wanted's' mythology and to
expand the story behind the Fraternity of Assassins."
The "Wanted" video game will feature intense third-person action,
taking combat to a new level with iconic moves -- such as "curving bullets"
and "Assassin Time" -- drawn directly from the film, as well as an
innovative, multi-layered cover mechanic. The storyline of the game will
pick up where the movie leaves off, providing fans with another chapter to
explore both Wesley's journey into becoming an uberassassin and the epic
fiction of the Fraternity.
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment will publish the "Wanted" video
game, utilizing its premiere sales, marketing and distribution capabilities
to deliver the title to gamers worldwide.
"'Wanted' is a striking property with gripping action, which presents
strong gaming possibilities," said Martin Tremblay, President, Warner Bros.
Interactive Entertainment. "Publishing the 'Wanted' game is an excellent
opportunity for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to team with
Universal on a global property with terrific cross-platform potential.
Players will get to immerse themselves in the 'Wanted' universe with a
stunning visual experience and engaging gameplay."
The project also re-teams UPDPG with executive game producer Pete
Wanat, who has previously collaborated with the film studio on critically
acclaimed movie-based games The Thing, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape
from Butcher Bay, and Scarface: The World is Yours.
"The team at GRIN has a proven track record of creating action games
that push the envelope in terms of gameplay and combat," said Mr. Wanat.
"With the 'Wanted' video game, GRIN is creating entirely new gameplay
mechanics and an experience that pulls no punches. Gamers and fans of the
film alike will be blown away by the ability to curve bullets, pull off
amazing combat sequences and literally conduct a symphony orchestra of
action with the arsenal available to the most powerful assassins in the
world."
The 'Wanted' game, in development since early 2007, will be available
later this year for consoles and personal computer. For more information on
the film and franchise, please visit http://www.wantedmovie.com.
About GRIN
GRIN was founded in 1997 by brothers Bo and Ulf Andersson with the goal
to develop games that take advantage of the very latest in technology.
GRIN's first title, Ballistics, was among the first games to ever ship
using pixel shader technology -- it sold nearly 2 million units and was
also developed into an Arcade Machine. The next GRIN title was Bandits -
Phoenix Rising for the PC followed by the stand alone PC version of Tom
Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Fighter.
The latest released title in 2007 was the stand alone PC version of Tom
Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Fighter 2. GRIN is currently developing
Bionic Commando (Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC) and Bionic Commando Rearmed
(Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC). Today, GRIN has 220 employees and is
headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. GRIN also has offices in Barcelona,
Spain, Jakarta, Indonesia and Gothenburg, Sweden. http://www.grin.se
About Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group
Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group (UPDPG) is responsible for
global digital product development, production, licensing, distribution,
and growth strategy for the extensive catalogue of Universal's properties
across new and emerging digital platforms, including mobile, video game
consoles, personal computers, and other portable devices. With a worldwide
mandate to help shape the digital future of Universal Pictures, the Group
has offices in Universal City, California; London, England; and Tokyo,
Japan.
Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group is a unit of Universal
Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Universal Pictures is a
division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and
entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of
entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May
2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC
Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment
networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television
production operations, a leading television stations group, and
world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric
and 20% owned by Vivendi.
About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home
Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor
and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across
all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based
gaming for both internal and third party game titles.
Contact:
Matt Frary
Maverick PR
310-714-6767
matt@mavpr.com
Remi Sklar
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
818-977-3023
remi.sklar@warnerbros.com
SOURCE Universal Studios Home Entertainment
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Related links:
http://www.wantedmovie.com
http://www.grin.se
CONTACT:
Matt Frary of Maverick PR, +1-310-714-6767,
matt@mavpr.com; or Remi Sklar of Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment, +1-818-977-3023, remi.sklar@warnerbros.com
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