NEWS - Wednesday, May 8, 2002
THQ, Disney and Pixar Get Together
THQ, Disney Interactive and Pixar Animation Studios Announce Strategic Multi-Property Publishing Agreement Interactive Rights to Next Three Animated Disney/Pixar Films Included CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--May 8, 2002-- THQ Inc. today announced a strategic, multi-property publishing agreement with award-winning interactive entertainment publisher Disney Interactive and Academy Award®-winning Pixar Animation Studios, granting THQ exclusive interactive rights to the next three Disney/Pixar animated feature films, "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," and "Cars." The worldwide deal extends through 2008 and includes all game systems manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft as well as PC/MAC. "Finding Nemo," Walt Disney Pictures’ presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios Film and the first property scheduled for release under this new agreement, will make its theatrical debut summer 2003. Written and directed by Academy Award®-nominee Andrew Stanton, "Finding Nemo" is a visually stunning underwater adventure, following the eventful journeys of two fish -- a father and his son Nemo -- who become separated in the Great Barrier Reef. Next in the agreement is Pixar’s production "The Incredibles," which is scheduled for release holiday 2004. An action-adventure comedy from acclaimed director Brad Bird ("The Iron Giant"), this clever comedy depicts a family of undercover superheroes struggling to live a quiet suburban life while surreptitiously saving the world. "Cars," scheduled for release holiday 2005, will complete THQ’s publishing agreement with Disney Interactive and Pixar. Pixar’s two-time Academy Award®-winning director John Lasseter ("Toy Story," "A Bug’s Life," "Toy Story 2") returns to the director’s chair for this high-octane adventure comedy featuring a wide assortment of cars as characters that get their kicks on Route 66. "Disney and Pixar have a legacy of creating blockbuster animated motion pictures including `Toy Story,’ `A Bug’s Life,’ `Toy Story 2’ and, most recently, `Monsters, Inc.’" said Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. "Our handheld adaptations of each of those properties have been top-performers at retail. We now look forward to a cross-platform approach to our Disney/Pixar business as we integrate these properties into our product portfolio, strategically managing each brand across every viable game system." Steve Jobs, chairman and CEO of Pixar Animation Studios added, "Pixar is excited to have entered into this long-term publishing partnership with THQ. This agreement will allow THQ’s film inspired games to benefit from longer development lead times and a growing creative dialogue with Pixar on each film release. Pixar is committed to creating the highest quality animated films for the enjoyment of families around the world. Additionally, we want the entertainment products inspired by our films to appropriately capture their magic, which our new agreement with THQ moves us all closer to achieving in the interactive arena." Andy Mooney, president of Disney Consumer Products Worldwide said, "We look forward to Disney Interactive’s expansion of its strategic relationships with Pixar and THQ, and are confident this alliance will strengthen the successful position of the Disney/Pixar brand across all interactive platforms."Source: http://www.thq.com/
