NBCUniversal's Universal Cable Productions Expands Comic Books-to-TV Development

Universal Cable Productions Expands Comic Book Development Roster with Three New All-Star Deals

Signs Renowned Graphic Novel Writer Warren Ellis To Develop His First Original TV Series; Options Horror Comic Book “Night Mary” And The Kickstarter, Breakout Hit “Five Ghosts”

Comic-Con 2014

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Comic-Con International 2014 #CCSD kicks off in San Diego, Universal Cable Productions (UCP) today announced three new deals that will bolster UCP’s genre library and generate excitement among comic book enthusiasts. UCP has signed award-winning graphic novel writer Warren Ellis (New York Times best-seller “Gun Machine”, and “Iron Man: Extremis” - the Marvel Comics graphic novel and basis for “Iron Man 3”) to develop Ellis’ first original TV series in collaboration with Gale Anne Hurd’s Valhalla Entertainment (“The Walking Dead”, “Terminator”).

    “There are very few writers who have been able to so completely influence a medium as Warren has with comic books. I am very excited to be able to collaborate in bringing his unique vision to television for the first time”

Additionally, UCP and IDW Entertainment have optioned the horror comic book “Night Mary” with the intent to co-develop it as a live action TV series. UCP has also optioned the Kickstarter funded, breakout hit “Five Ghosts” written by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham from Black Mask Studios to develop it as an original TV series.

“We love genre at UCP and thankfully so do audiences. We've made it a priority to seek out great properties that will attract equally great creators to adapt them,” said Dawn Olmstead, Executive Vice President, Development, Universal Cable Productions. “From Warren’s dynamic plots and complex characters to the dark and suspenseful world of ‘Night Mary,’ and the creative mash-up of five literary icons in the cult hit ‘Five Ghosts,’ they are all provocative, distinctive and have the promise to be a whole lot of fun.”

Based on the acclaimed IDW Publishing property created by Rick Remender and Kieron Dwyer, “Night Mary” follows a young woman trained to be a lucid dreamer. Her father owns a sleep disorder clinic where she enters the dreams of his patients. When a patient is revealed to be a serial killer, she is placed in jeopardy as nightmares and reality become frighteningly intertwined. John Pogue (“The Quiet Ones”) has been tapped to write and direct the pilot. Ted Adams and David Ozer from IDW Entertainment and David Alpert and Rick Jacobs from Circle of Confusion (“The Walking Dead”) will serve as executive producers along with John Pogue.

“Five Ghosts” is the stylish, pulpy adventure by Frank Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham that tells the story of a 1930s-era treasure hunter possessed by five literary ghosts (Merlin, Robin Hood, Sherlock Holmes, Musashi, and Dracula) whose unique abilities he can draw on during his adventures. “Five Ghosts” was funded on Kickstarter in 2012 and previewed at San Diego Comic Con that year when Matt Pizzolo (who would later co-found Black Mask Studios) shared his San Diego Comic Con table with then-unknown writer Frank Barbiere. “Five Ghosts” was picked up by Image Comics and premiered at Emerald City Comic Con becoming one of the breakout hits of 2013. UCP has optioned the TV series rights from Black Mask and has signed on Evan Daugherty (“Snow White And The Huntsmen”, “Divergent”) to write the pilot and serve as executive producer. Chris Bender and Jake Weiner from Benderspink (“Horrible Bosses 2”, “The Hangover”) will also serve as executive producers along with Jake Wagner as producer, and Matt Pizzolo and Brett Gurewitz as co-executive producers.

UCP’s currently untitled Warren Ellis project with Valhalla Entertainment marks the renowned writer’s first foray into television. "I've been strongly drawn to television over the last few years, and working with brilliant and determined collaborators like Gale and the UCP team, I'm delighted at the opportunity to add my voice to the new, novelistic TV form that's evolved so dramatically," said Ellis.

“There are very few writers who have been able to so completely influence a medium as Warren has with comic books. I am very excited to be able to collaborate in bringing his unique vision to television for the first time,” added Hurd.

Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE, currently in development at Microsoft, as well as the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN. The film RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. His GRAVEL books are in development for film at Legendary Pictures, with Tim Miller attached to direct. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. Warren Ellis is currently working on a non-fiction book about the future of the city for Farrar Straus Giroux. His newest publication is the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR, from FSG Originals. His next book will be the novella NORMAL, also from FSG, and his most recent comics project is TREES from Image Comics. A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.

About Universal Cable Productions
Universal Cable Productions (UCP) creates innovative and critically acclaimed original scripted and digital content across media platforms for domestic and international distribution. UCP’s content library spans classics such as Emmy-award winning, “Monk,” and cult favorites “Psych,” “Battlestar Galactica” and “Warehouse 13.” UCP’s programming can be seen across various networks, including: “Covert Affairs,” “Dig” (fall 2014), “Playing House,” “Royal Pains,” “Satisfaction” and “Suits” on USA Network; “Ascension” (fall 2014), “Defiance,” “Dominion,” and “12 Monkeys” (2015) on Syfy; “Girlfriends’ Guide To Divorce” (fall 2014) on Bravo; “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome” on Machinima Prime/YouTube, Syfy and DVD/Blu-Ray; and “Side Effects” on Awesomeness TV/YouTube. Universal Cable Productions is a part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Follow us @UCPisTV.

About IDW Entertainment
IDW Entertainment launched in November 2013 to fund and develop film and television properties based on IDW's extensive catalog. The division is currently in development on a slate of properties including Chuck Dixon’s epic Winterworld, being developed with Xbox; V Wars by New York Times best-seller Jonathan Maberry with writer/executive producer Tim Schlattman (Dexter, Smallville); action packed comic series Pantheon with co-creator Michael Chiklis (The Shield); Life Undead, with showrunner Paul Zbyszewski (S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-O, Lost); and Brooklyn Animal Control, based on the darkly thrilling comic from writer/director J.T. Petty (Splinter Cell, Hellbenders). IDW also has several active theatrical projects in development: Lore, at Warner Bros. with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson set to star; World War Robot, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing at Disney and Jon Spaihts writing the screenplay; and Zombies vs. Robots, at Sony with Platinum Dunes and Circle of Confusion producing.

About IDW Publishing
IDW is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels and trade paperbacks, based in San Diego, California. Renowned for its diverse catalog of licensed and independent titles, IDW publishes some of the most successful and popular titles in the industry, including: Hasbro’s The TRANSFORMERS, G.I. JOE and MY LITTLE PONY; Paramount’s Star Trek; Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; 2000AD’s Judge Dredd; The Rocketeer; Toho’s Godzilla; Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons; V-Wars from New York Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry; Ragnarök from Eisner Award-winner Walter Simonson; Winterworld, created by Chuck Dixon and Jorge Zaffino; and Little Nemo from the award-winning duo of Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez. IDW is also home to the Library of American Comics imprint, which publishes classic comic reprints, Yoe! Books, a partnership with Yoe! Studio, and the multiple award-winning Artist's Edition imprint. IDW’s critically- and fan-acclaimed series are continually moving into new mediums. Currently, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Disney are creating a feature film based on World War Robot; Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Warner Brothers are producing a film based on Ashley Wood's Lore; Michael Bay‘s Platinum Dunes and Sony are bringing Zombies vs. Robots to film, Kurtzman/Orci are producing a movie based on Locke & Key at Universal.

About Black Mask Studios
Black Mask Studios (www.blackmaskstudios.com) is a publishing/production company that specializes in utilizing 'transmedia storytelling' to expand comic book creators' audiences across multiple media platforms. Launched in 2013 by musician/entrepreneur Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion, Epitaph Records, ANTI- Records), writer/director and producer Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller, Occupy Comics, Wired Magazine's "World's Most Wired in Comics"), and comic book writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night), the company's mandate is to bring comic book storytelling to new frontiers. Black Mask's initial slate included the political, not-for-profit Occupy Comics (founded by Pizzolo with Alan Moore, Charlie Adlard, Art Spiegelman, Molly Crabapple, Ben Templesmith, and dozens more), the animal-rescuing vigilantes story Liberator, Adam Egypt Mortimer and Darick Robertson's transreal, cyberpunk adventure Ballistic, and the multi-platform gangster odyssey 12 Reasons To Die by Ghostface Killah and RZA. Black Mask will unveil its Year 2 Slate at San Diego Comic Con in July 2014.

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J.J. Abrams Announces "Star Wars: Force of Change"

Fans Have a Chance to Be in Star Wars: Episode VII

J.J. Abrams Announces “Force for Change” Campaign to Benefit UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and Programs

Beginning Today (May 21, 2014), Visit Omaze.com/StarWars to Enter for a Chance to Win

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today in a special video message from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII, director J.J. Abrams announced the creation of Star Wars: Force for Change, a brand new Star Wars initiative from Disney and Lucasfilm in collaboration with Bad Robot dedicated to finding creative solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems. The first Star Wars: Force for Change campaign will raise funds and awareness for the United Nations Children’s Fund’s (UNICEF) Innovation Labs and its innovative programs that are benefiting the world’s most vulnerable children.

    “UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to help the world’s most vulnerable children and young people identify solutions and create change”

Disney has committed US $1 million to support the launch of Star Wars: Force for Change. Fans can now contribute directly at Omaze.com/StarWars for a chance to appear in Star Wars: Episode VII. For each $10 contribution made through the Omaze fundraising platform, eligible participants will be automatically entered for a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The campaign runs from 12:01am PST on May 21stth until 11:59pm PST July 18th.

The Star Wars: Force for Change Grand Prize includes:

1.  Airfare and accommodations to London for one winner and a guest
2.   Behind-the-scenes access on the closed set of Star Wars: Episode VII as VIP guests of J.J. Abrams
3.  Winner will have the opportunity to meet members of the cast
4.  Winner and their guest will then be transformed by makeup and costume teams into a Star Wars character and filmed for a scene in Star Wars: Episode VII

"The Star Wars fans are some of the most passionate and committed folks around the globe,” says director J.J. Abrams. “We’re thrilled to offer a chance to come behind the scenes as our VIP guests and be in Star Wars: Episode VII. We’re even more excited that by participating in this campaign, Star Wars fans will be helping children around the world through our collaboration with UNICEF Innovation Labs and projects."

Star Wars continues to inspire generations of dreamers and doers to use their creativity to accomplish great things. Star Wars and Lucasfilm were built on the belief that in uniting creativity with innovation, you can make the impossible possible.

“The Star Wars films were made through George Lucas's adventurous combination of technology and creativity,” says Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm. “We wanted to honor and carry on that positive spirit as we start production on Episode VII and use Star Wars to make a difference in the world. Star Wars: Force for Change will help us do that, letting us give back to the fans who keep Star Wars alive, and raising much-needed funds for programs like UNICEF's Innovation Labs.”

By pledging support for Star Wars: Force for Change, fans are helping UNICEF create a brighter tomorrow for kids and families around the world. Through its global network of Innovation Labs, UNICEF helps create sustainable solutions to major issues facing children in the areas of nutrition, water, health, and education. The Star Wars: Force for Change campaign will help fund innovative, life-changing projects in communities around the globe.

"UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to help the world’s most vulnerable children and young people identify solutions and create change,” says Christopher Fabian, UNICEF Senior Advisor on Innovation and co-Lead of the Innovation Unit. “We work together with the greatest technologists and designers of our time to create open-source solutions that help millions of people. The support from Star Wars: Force for Change will help to bind these innovators together on a mission to solve the world’s most pressing problems, and create a better future.”

Visit StarWars.com/ForceForChange to learn more about this new charitable initiative and the work of UNICEF’s Innovation Labs and programs, and be sure to enter through contribution or free entry for your chance to win at Omaze.com/StarWars.

May the Force be with you!

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in 190 countries and territories to save and improve children’s lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when zero children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org. Find us on Twitter: @unicefusa; join us on Facebook: UNICEF-USA.

Star Wars: Force for Change Program: Restrictions and Limitations
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Void where prohibited. Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age or the age of majority in your domicile, to enter and a resident of Argentina, Austria, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, USA, or the UK, and not a resident of Belgium, Italy, Malta, Singapore, or Thailand. Residents of Australia, Brazil, China and the Republic of Korea are not prohibited from participating, but local rules and laws may restrict or prohibit the award of certain prizes or impose additional restrictions on participation.

Rewards are separate from sweepstakes prizes. Rewards are limited in quantity. Odds of winning depend on number of entries. For free entry: (i) send post card to Sponsor at PO Box 3190, 1217 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California 90408 by applicable mail date; or (ii) visit www.Omaze.com/StarWars. Entrants may receive additional entries via Facebook. Maximum number of entries: 10,000 per Entrant. Travel and accommodations are at Sponsor’s discretion and subject to availability and change. Winner and Guest may be required to pass a background screening or security check, to receive the prize and/or reward. Visa conditions may apply. All taxes are Winner’s responsibility. Not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook®. Residents of certain territories may be required to successfully complete a trivia question to qualify. For full entry requirements, details, limitations and restrictions see Official rules at www.Omaze.com/StarWars. Sole Sponsor: Omaze, Inc., PO Box 3190, 1217 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90408.

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"Veronica Mars" Movie Due March 14, 2014

Warner Bros.’ “Veronica Mars” Movie Opens on March 14, 2014

Kickstarter Campaign, Launched by Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell, Brings “Veronica Mars” to the Big Screen at AMC Theatres through Record-Breaking Fan Support

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. has announced a spring release date for the Rob Thomas-written and directed “Veronica Mars” feature film, based on the beloved and acclaimed television series of the same name. The film will open in the U.S. on March 14th in AMC Theatres in select markets across the country. The announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

“This project has been a labor of love for everyone involved -- me, the cast, my producing partners. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the Kickstarter backers. This movie wouldn’t have happened without them.”

“We are tremendously excited to work with our friends at AMC Theatres in bringing this fan favorite to the big screen,” said Fellman. “Rob has made a high-spirited film with comedy, romance and mystery, and we’re confident its appeal will go well beyond the core group of Kickstarter supporters.”

“We at AMC are excited to partner with Warner Bros. to bring ‘Veronica Mars’ to theatres,” said Nikkole Denson-Randolph, vice president of special and alternative content at AMC Theatres. “Enthusiastic fans of the popular television series helped make this movie a reality, and AMC is proud to serve our guests by playing it in their communities, as well as providing a national platform for the movie to reach a broader audience.”

The “Veronica Mars” movie was made possible by a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign driven by fans of the television show, which ran from 2004 – 2007. Launched by Thomas and series star Kristen Bell, the Kickstarter campaign unleashed an unprecedented level of fan enthusiasm and support, reaching the project goal of $2 million in just 10 hours. At the end of the 31-day campaign, fans contributed $5.7 million, making Veronica Mars the number one funded project in the film category and the third-highest funded project in Kickstarter history. It is the most widely supported Kickstarter campaign ever with more than 91,000 backers, who have remained engaged throughout production with frequent behind-the-scenes updates from Thomas and the film’s cast and crew.

Added Thomas, “This project has been a labor of love for everyone involved -- me, the cast, my producing partners. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the Kickstarter backers. This movie wouldn’t have happened without them.”

Fans of the show and the upcoming film can follow its progress, see cast and filmmaker diaries, exclusive content and release information by following the film’s social media presence, including:

Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TheVeronicaMarsMovie) Twitter (http://twitter.com/VeronicaMars) Instagram http://www.instagram.com/TheVeronicaMarsMovie) YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/veronicamarsmovie) Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/theveronicamars/) Tumblr (http://tumblr.com/OfficialVeronicaMars)

Fans can also get information about the film by following Rob Thomas on Twitter at @RobThomas.

Written and directed by series creator Thomas, “Veronica Mars” stars original show cast members Kristen Bell (“House of Lies,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”), Jason Dohring (“The Ringer”), Chris Lowell (“The Help,” “Up in the Air”), Ryan Hansen (“G.I. Joe: Retaliation”), Krysten Ritter (“Don’t Trust the B---- in Apartment 23”), Percy Daggs III (“Detention”), Tina Majorino (“True Blood,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Francis Capra (“Blood and Bone”), Ken Marino (“Party Down,” “Burning Love”) and Enrico Colantoni (“Just Shoot Me”).

The screenplay for “Veronica Mars” is written by Thomas & Diane Ruggiero from a story by Thomas. The film is produced by Thomas, Dan Etheridge and Danielle Stokdyk. Joel Silver, Kristen Bell and Jennifer Hinkey are serving as executive producers.

In the film, Veronica Mars has put Neptune and her amateur sleuthing days behind her on the eve of graduating law school. While interviewing at high-end law firms, Veronica gets a call from her ex-boyfriend Logan who has been accused of murder. Veronica heads back to Neptune just to help Logan find an attorney, but when things don’t seem right with how Logan’s case is perceived and handled, Veronica finds herself being pulled back into a life she thought she had left behind.

A Warner Bros. Digital presentation, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Zombie Filmmaker, Mitch Cohen, Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Filmmaker, Mitch Cohen, Employs Kickstarter to Bring Unconventional Tale of the Undead to Life

Unlikely hero of unique zombie apocalypse film “Super Zero” finds 15-minutes of fame in end of days

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--If fervor and preparedness were enough to make a film in Hollywood, viewers in movie theaters across the country would already be enjoying Mitch Cohen’s original short film, “Super Zero.” However, since the one thing it does take to make a film is money, Cohen, a 36-year-old L.A.-based writer and director, recently launched a Kickstarter.com campaign – http://kck.st/15dN7BX – to make his vision for a new kind of zombie movie a reality.

Cohen, a father to two-year-old twins, who has been responsible for some of the industry’s most recognizable video game campaigns, conceived the unconventional “geek culture” film years ago, but was forced to shelve his passion project with the arrival of his children. Now, with a little help from friends and strangers alike, Cohen and his team are hoping to raise $34,500 by July 31, 2013 to make it happen.

An original take on a popular genre, Super Zero is the story of a geeky, shy and terminally ill teen, who rises from utter insignificance to become a zombie assassin and mankind's last hope for survival. In traditional zombie films, by definition, the end of the world is the worst possible scenario for everyone. In Super Zero, the film’s protagonist finally finds purpose in his life while the rest of the world scrambles to save theirs.

“Super Zero is really an epic win for the average guy,” said Cohen of his film. “The movie celebrates the overlooked, the eccentric and the powerless, combining sci-fi/horror with comic book-inspired action, irreverent comedy and a totally relatable and ultimately awesome average guy lead character. Plus there are zombies…a ton of zombies!”

Cohen, a self-confessed lover of all things geek, further describes Super Zero as his personal love letter to the community. He is hopeful that all those out there that may resemble him, or perhaps more aptly may identify with Super Zero’s protagonist, who is the everyday gamer/comic book kid, will be inspired to get involved and support the project. Cohen also hopes he may strike a chord with other visionaries out there that understand the struggle to balance family and career.

“Kickstarter is an amazing tool for identifying and connecting with audiences that share your passion and vision, even before you’re able to bring it to the screen,” said Cohen. “And much like the story behind Super Zero, it allows average folks to be a part of something extraordinary.”

Interested contributors can select pledge categories from $1 to $10,000+ and receive rewards for joining the Super Zero production team, including signed scripts, cameos in the film, set visits and on-screen production credits.

Cohen, the film’s writer and director, is joined on Super Zero by Producer Shane Spiegel and Cinematographer Idan Menin. For more information on Super Zero, the filmmakers and the Kickstarter campaign, please visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/811236299/super-zero-0?ref=live.

ABOUT MITCH COHEN
Mitch Cohen, a Los Angeles-based writer and director, lives, works and breathes “Geek Culture.” From film to video games to comics, he's both a fan and a contributing artist to the community. However, growing tired of much of the rehashed, derivative fare that is continually pushed onto the culture, Cohen is turning to the community members themselves to help him bring to life Super Zero, a zombie film they can champion as novel, compelling and completely original. For more on Cohen and Super Zero, visit http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/811236299/super-zero-0?ref=live.