The first project from the new joint venture between Animal Logic Entertainment and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment is a music-based, live action/animated film that’s set up with Sony Pictures.
Animal Logic brought the project to Sony, which has dated the film for 2016. Animal Logic CEO Zareh Nalbandian tells IF the untitled film is live action with animated characters, with the music coming from Syco Entertainment, a joint venture between the Got Talent and The X Factor impresario Cowell and Sony Music.
He declined to elaborate on the project but said it is being championed by the studio’s president of production Hannah Minghella and production VP Laura Abrahams.
Asked where it would be filmed, he said, “My intention is to bring as much production as possible to Australia.”
Animal Logic and Syco Entertainment have formed a long term, multi-project partnership to develop and create music-based animated and hybrid animation/live action films.
Heading up the partnership are Animal Logic’s Nalbandian and Jason Lust and Syco Entertainment’s Adam Milano.
A common link is that both companies are represented by CAA. “Animation and music coming together is timely and not often done,” he said, pointing to Disney’s global hit Frozen as the latest example.
Both partners are bringing projects to the joint venture. Nalbandian hopes at least two or three films will be completed in the next three years.
“We have five or six ideas on our slate, some more formed than others,” he said. “We have to filter them rather than come up with things to do.”
Despite Syco‘s tie-up with Sony and Animal Logic’s strong relationship with Warner Bros., Zareh said, “We are open for business. We are not restricted to any studio.”
After animating The LEGO Movie, Animal Logic is working on deals to cement its role in the sequel, which will be directed by Chris McKay. Warner Bros. has dated the sequel for Memorial Day 2017.
Zareh said,“We want to bring it to Australia but there are a lot of hurdles to jump before that happens. “
Syco Entertainment is the UK’s most successful music label and created the world’s biggest selling reality TV format Got Talent and The X Factor. In 2013 Syco produced the 3D concert movie One Direction: This Is Us.
Nalbandian said, “We are thrilled to bring together the amazing talent, global reach and expertise in popular music of Syco Entertainment alongside Animal Logic’s rich history of innovative, cutting edge animation and universal storytelling. I am confident our truly complementary collaboration with Syco will be a very powerful force in family entertainment.”
Simon Cowell said, "It is a dream come true to have this opportunity of working with Animal Logic. I think their work is pure genius and I really feel excited about the films we are going to be making together."