Ubisoft Motion Pictures (UMP), a new film and TV production branch of the well-known French publisher unveiled at the beginning of May, has announced plans to develop 3D features based upon its key franchises – Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Raving Rabbids.
UMP is headed by former EuropaCorp CEO Jean-Julien Baronnet, Didier Lupfer, Senior Vice President of Production and Development, and Jean de Rivieres, Senior Vice President of International Marketing and Distribution.
Baronnet confirmed that they had been working closely with the producers of each series, as well as Ubisoft’s marketing team, to ensure that they could identify the ‘DNA’ of each franchise and ensure that storylines were consistent.
“We want to keep ownership, retain control over the film content, and we’re open to work with studios on the development of our projects, and eventually collaborate on the pre-casting, pre-budget and script,” Baronnet explained. “The group’s projects have drawn great interest from U.S. studios and screenwriters.”
“Our strategy is not to diversify but to bolster the appeal of our franchises – that’s why we want to make sure our films will reflect the brands accurately and consolidate our fan base while expanding beyond the games’ primary target audience,” added de Rivieres.
Baronnet, Lupfer and de Rivieres are to travel to Los Angeles in June to meet with studios and agents, with de Rivieres promising: “We will have a script ready by the end of the year.”
A CGI 3D ‘toon’ series based upon the irrepressible Raving Rabbids is currently underway, consisting of 78 episodes each lasting seven minutes each. Baronnet said the company was in advanced negotiations with a French TV broadcaster and a U.S. network for distribution.
[Thanks, Variety]
Ubisoft Motion Pictures working on Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon and Raving Rabbids 3D features
