James Harvey
11-20-2001, 10:41 AM
New Line Cinema is bringing the Cartoon Network series Samurai Jack to the big screen, making deals to produce both an animated film as well as a live-action feature to be directed by Brett Ratner ("Rush Hour 2"), reports Variety. Ratner will produce under his Rat Entertainment banner with partner Jay Stern.
Samurai Jack is an ancient Japanese warrior, son of an emperor who was defeated by an evil wizard. Jack trains to get revenge, and when he bests the wizard, the evil villian sends him into a time portal into the future. The series, which quickly became Cartoon Network's highest rated show, revolves around Jack's attempt to get back in time, battling the wizard's minions.
The script will be written by series creator Genndy Tartakovsky, who also hatched the Cartoon Network series "Dexter's Laboratory" and is producer-director of net's "The Powerpuff Girls," serving as animation director of the upcoming Warner Bros. movie adaptation.
Cartoon Network's official press release follows:
(Courtesy of Joe Swaney)
For release: November 20, 2001
<b>"SAMURAI JACK" JUMPS TO NEW LINE</b>
<i>New Line Cinema Acquires Cartoon Network's
Highly Rated Animated Series For A Live Action Feature Film
To Be Directed by Brett Ratner</i>
New Line Cinema has acquired "Samurai Jack," Cartoon Network's highly
rated animated series, to be adapted into a live action feature film
directed by Brett Ratner, director of the blockbuster Rush Hour
films, it was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line's president of
production, and Jim Samples, executive vice president, general manager,
Cartoon Network Worldwide.
Watched by over two million children and adults since its August
premiere on the Cartoon Network, the highly acclaimed "Samurai Jack" is
the latest half-hour animated series from cartoon mastermind Genndy
Tartakovsky, creator of the Emmy Award-winning "Dexter's Laboratory,"
who will write the screenplay for the feature film. Samurai Jack will
be produced by Ratner and his partner at Rat Entertainment, Jay
Stern.
"With great action and a sense of humor, 'Samurai Jack' is
tremendously entertaining to kids and grownups alike," Emmerich said. "There is no greater director for this film than Brett, who is not only a
tremendous talent but also a major 'Samurai Jack' fan, and we're
thrilled to continue our relationship with him on this exciting project."
"Building a presence in theatricals is the next logical step in
building the Cartoon Network brand," said Samples. "New Line has a great
affinity for this property and we're thrilled to work with them in
bringing it to the big screen." Tartakovsky added, "I created the show
with a cinematic look to it, so it's very exciting to see it actually
go to the big screen; I'm also a big fan of Brett Ratner's films.
His sensibilities are completely in line with the feel of 'Samurai
Jack.'" The project will be overseen by Emmerich and vice president of
production Chris Godsick.
Samurai Jack will mark Ratner's third film with New Line. He
previously directed the blockbusters Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2, starring
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for New Line, and made his feature film
debut, Money Talks, for the studio. He previously directed The Family
Man, starring Nicolas Cage, and is currently at work on Red Dragon,
the next installment in the Hannibal series of films, to star Anthony
Hopkins and Edward Norton. Ratner has directed more than 100 music
videos and was honored with a 1999 MTV Video Award for Best Video from
a Film for Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" from the Austin Powers: The
Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack.
Hailed for its stylized and intense action, "Samurai Jack" tells the
story of a great warrior displaced to the distant future by the evil
shape-shifting wizard Aku. The world has become a bleak place under
Aku's rule, segregated into fantastic tribes and policed by Aku's
evil robot warlords. Samurai Jack travels this foreign landscape
searching for the time portal that can return him to his home.
Tartakovsky created Cartoon Network's first original series,
"Dexter's Laboratory." The show, among Cartoon Network's highest-rated
shows since its debut in 1996, has been nominated for four Emmy Awards
and has spawned a successful line of licensed merchandise.
More than 52 episodes of "Dexter's Laboratory" have been created and an additional
13 will debut on Cartoon Network this fall. Tartakovsky also served
as producer/director for Cartoon Network's Emmy-winning television
series "The Powerpuff Girls."
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 78.1 million U.S. homes and 145
countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s
24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated
entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon
Network also showcases unique original ventures such as "The Powerpuff
Girls," "Dexter's Laboratory," "Samurai Jack," "Courage the Cowardly
Dog," "Ed, Edd n Eddy" and other Cartoon Cartoons. Since its launch
in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's
highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at
http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a
major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and
the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
# # #
Contact:
Laurie Goldberg; Cartoon Network -- 404-885-4205
laurie.goldberg@turner.com
Christina Kounelias; New Line Cinema -- 310/967-6535
Samurai Jack is an ancient Japanese warrior, son of an emperor who was defeated by an evil wizard. Jack trains to get revenge, and when he bests the wizard, the evil villian sends him into a time portal into the future. The series, which quickly became Cartoon Network's highest rated show, revolves around Jack's attempt to get back in time, battling the wizard's minions.
The script will be written by series creator Genndy Tartakovsky, who also hatched the Cartoon Network series "Dexter's Laboratory" and is producer-director of net's "The Powerpuff Girls," serving as animation director of the upcoming Warner Bros. movie adaptation.
Cartoon Network's official press release follows:
(Courtesy of Joe Swaney)
For release: November 20, 2001
<b>"SAMURAI JACK" JUMPS TO NEW LINE</b>
<i>New Line Cinema Acquires Cartoon Network's
Highly Rated Animated Series For A Live Action Feature Film
To Be Directed by Brett Ratner</i>
New Line Cinema has acquired "Samurai Jack," Cartoon Network's highly
rated animated series, to be adapted into a live action feature film
directed by Brett Ratner, director of the blockbuster Rush Hour
films, it was announced today by Toby Emmerich, New Line's president of
production, and Jim Samples, executive vice president, general manager,
Cartoon Network Worldwide.
Watched by over two million children and adults since its August
premiere on the Cartoon Network, the highly acclaimed "Samurai Jack" is
the latest half-hour animated series from cartoon mastermind Genndy
Tartakovsky, creator of the Emmy Award-winning "Dexter's Laboratory,"
who will write the screenplay for the feature film. Samurai Jack will
be produced by Ratner and his partner at Rat Entertainment, Jay
Stern.
"With great action and a sense of humor, 'Samurai Jack' is
tremendously entertaining to kids and grownups alike," Emmerich said. "There is no greater director for this film than Brett, who is not only a
tremendous talent but also a major 'Samurai Jack' fan, and we're
thrilled to continue our relationship with him on this exciting project."
"Building a presence in theatricals is the next logical step in
building the Cartoon Network brand," said Samples. "New Line has a great
affinity for this property and we're thrilled to work with them in
bringing it to the big screen." Tartakovsky added, "I created the show
with a cinematic look to it, so it's very exciting to see it actually
go to the big screen; I'm also a big fan of Brett Ratner's films.
His sensibilities are completely in line with the feel of 'Samurai
Jack.'" The project will be overseen by Emmerich and vice president of
production Chris Godsick.
Samurai Jack will mark Ratner's third film with New Line. He
previously directed the blockbusters Rush Hour and Rush Hour 2, starring
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for New Line, and made his feature film
debut, Money Talks, for the studio. He previously directed The Family
Man, starring Nicolas Cage, and is currently at work on Red Dragon,
the next installment in the Hannibal series of films, to star Anthony
Hopkins and Edward Norton. Ratner has directed more than 100 music
videos and was honored with a 1999 MTV Video Award for Best Video from
a Film for Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" from the Austin Powers: The
Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack.
Hailed for its stylized and intense action, "Samurai Jack" tells the
story of a great warrior displaced to the distant future by the evil
shape-shifting wizard Aku. The world has become a bleak place under
Aku's rule, segregated into fantastic tribes and policed by Aku's
evil robot warlords. Samurai Jack travels this foreign landscape
searching for the time portal that can return him to his home.
Tartakovsky created Cartoon Network's first original series,
"Dexter's Laboratory." The show, among Cartoon Network's highest-rated
shows since its debut in 1996, has been nominated for four Emmy Awards
and has spawned a successful line of licensed merchandise.
More than 52 episodes of "Dexter's Laboratory" have been created and an additional
13 will debut on Cartoon Network this fall. Tartakovsky also served
as producer/director for Cartoon Network's Emmy-winning television
series "The Powerpuff Girls."
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 78.1 million U.S. homes and 145
countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s
24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated
entertainment. Drawing from the world's largest cartoon library, Cartoon
Network also showcases unique original ventures such as "The Powerpuff
Girls," "Dexter's Laboratory," "Samurai Jack," "Courage the Cowardly
Dog," "Ed, Edd n Eddy" and other Cartoon Cartoons. Since its launch
in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable's
highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network's Web site is located at
http://CartoonNetwork.com (AOL Keyword: Cartoon Network).
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., an AOL Time Warner company, is a
major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and
the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
# # #
Contact:
Laurie Goldberg; Cartoon Network -- 404-885-4205
laurie.goldberg@turner.com
Christina Kounelias; New Line Cinema -- 310/967-6535