GENIUS PRODUCTS EXPANDS CHILDREN’S LIBRARY WITH CLASSIC TITLES FROM BKN INTERNATIONAL A.G.
Friday, June 02, 2006
Exclusive U.S. Distribution Deal Includes 16 Properties for Distribution on DVD All-New CGI Animated A Christmas Carol Set for Release November 22, 2006
SANTA MONICA (June 2, 2006) Adding to its growing library of children's and all family entertainment, Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI) secured the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to 16 classic children's properties from BKN Home Entertainment Ltd, a subsidiary of BKN International A.G. The joint announcement was made by Genius Products CEO Trevor Drinkwater and BKN CEO Allen Bohbot.
The slate of properties set for release on DVD in 2006 and 2007 includes:
A Christmas Carol -- A brand new, all-animal feature film based on the classic much-loved story by Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol is retold in stunning CGI animation. The film is scheduled to be a limited promotional theatrical release on the Screenvision platform by SD Entertainment in the USA in November 2006 and will be released on DVD November 22, 2006.
It is Christmas Eve in London and everyone is excitedly getting ready for the seasonal festivities, everyone that is except for the miserly old skinflint, Ebenezer Scrooge. He hates everyone, especially children and believes Christmas to be "humbug." But this Christmas he is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Past, The Ghost of Christmas Present and the Ghost of Christmas Future. They scare him into mending his ways, and Scrooge finds the true meaning of Christmas, as he celebrates with Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and their family.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves -- A tale as famous as any ever told, however until now few have known the true story of the daring young prince and his forty faithful followers. Set in an epic land of ancient wonders, these are the action-packed adventures of young Prince Ali Baba.
Kong Return to the Jungle -- On the heels of the successful film, Kong returns in this all new CGI animated feature film.
Kong, The Animated Series -- Kong's demise was legend, his rebirth a well-guarded secret. Using DNA from the original, a new Kong was born ®C gigantic and primal with increased strength, ability and with thanks to his new shared DNA, a family. Kong: The Animated Series brings new dimension and mega powers to the legendary giant, KONG, King of all Apes!
Zorro: Generation Z (Feature Film) -- This is Zorro for the new millennium! This high quality version sets Zorro in the present with modern-day themed adventures in a fast paced format. Action, adventure, fast motorcycles, and one of the most enduring and legendary heroes of all time. The melding of an historic legend with powers, high tech gadgetry and vehicles of the modern-day super-hero as the all new El Zorro rides again!
Zorro: Generation (Series) -- This is Zorro for the new millennium! This high quality version sets Zorro in the present with modern-day themed adventures in a fast paced format. Action, adventure, fast motorcycles, and one of the most enduring and legendary heroes of all time. The melding of an historic legend with powers, high tech gadgetry and vehicles of the modern-day super-hero as the all new El Zorro rides again!
Legend of the Dragon -- China. A land of ancient mysteries and modern wonders. In a world where old meets new, dark meets light, the universal balance of Yin and Yang is held in harmony by one ®C The Golden Dragon. One boy's journey of courage and self discovery shall decide the future for all and a legend shall be born.
Robin Hood -- Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men, including well-known characters Friar Tuck, Little John and Will Scarlet get up to their usual heroics in this animated all-animal version of the familiar story of Robin Hood.
Jungle Book -- An all-new CGI animated feature film, based on the classic story by Rudyard Kipling, about a human child who is brought up by a family of wolves.
Dork Hunters from Outer Space -- Who knew that a wrong turn at Saturn would result in one of the funniest animated action shows destined to grace the television screens of this or any other planet? Join Mac, Nikki, Romeo and their earthbound friends Eddie and Angie, as they take on the nastiest interplanetary villains ever to hide out on Planet Earth: The Dorks.
And classic properties:
The Prince and the Pauper, The Three Musketeers, Gulliver's Travels, Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Nutcracker.
"BKN is providing a slate of high-quality productions with great titles that have significant market potential in the U.S. We look forward to driving the business beginning in September 2006 and throughout calendar 2007," said Drinkwater.
"We are happy with this deal and have high expectations that Genius will drive significant volume with retailers in the important U.S. market," said Bohbot.
ABOUT GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.
Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI) produces and distributes an ever-expanding library of home entertainment products, including DVDs and CDs. Sold in retail outlets nationwide under such well-known brands as Wellspring, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment™, NBC News, and Baby Genius®, the company's products are distributed through the Genius Products Branded Distribution Network, an extensive distribution network that extends throughout the U.S. to mass, drugstore, supermarket and specialty retailers. Genius Products recently released on home video The Weinstein Company smash hits HOODWINKED, the animated family comedy which ranked #1 in consumer sales in its debut week; DERAILED, starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen, which ranked #1 in rentals in its debut week; WOLF CREEK, an Australian horror film; and the Oscar nominated film, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.
Genius Products boasts a premiere management team comprised of seasoned executives, formerly with major Hollywood studios, who have steered the company into the forefront of the industry through their landmark distribution deal with The Weinstein Company.
Upcoming films planned for release by Genius Products include films by The Weinstein Company such as THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan; David Zucker's hilarious new sequel, SCARY MOVIE 4; THE LIBERTINE, starring Johnny Depp; and LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN, a Weinstein Company presentation released theatrically by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) starring Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis and Lucy Liu. Potential new releases include a sequel to SIN CITY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS, CLERKS II and the highly anticipated film, BOBBY.
About BKN:
BKN International AG is a global animation company engaged in the distribution and marketing of animated children's television programmes and the marketing of related consumer products (licensing and merchandising) in all forms. BKN has worked on numerous successful animation projects.
The Company is currently listed on the Deutsche Bourse and AIM and it operates all over the world. BKN has successfully negotiated distribution deals in over 80 countries and territories in the children's programming market.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Genius Products' business, forecasts, projections and prospects, and cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the anticipated number of releases, timing and financial performance of home video releases of properties from BKN, and releases such as DERAILED, HOODWINKED, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, WOLF CREEK, THE MATADOR, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE LIBERTINE, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN, a sequel to SIN CITY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS, CLERKS II, BOBBY, and any other statements relating to such new or potential releases that are not historical statements of fact. Actual results could vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, the unpredictability of audience demand, the effect of technological change and the availability of alternative forms of entertainment. Other such risks and uncertainties include the matters described in Genius Products' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Genius Products assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
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