VANCOUVER, BC and LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - May 14, 2015) - Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. (
Ratchet & Clank features the voice talent of an all-star cast including Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner PAUL GIAMATTI (The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Saving Mr. Banks, Sideways) as "Chairman Drek;" Golden Globe Award winner JOHN GOODMAN (Transformers: Age of Extinction, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Argo) as "Grimroth;" Young Artist Award winner BELLA THORNE (The Snow Queen 2, Blended) as "Cora;" ALMA Award winner ROSARIO DAWSON (Marvel's Daredevil, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Sin City) as "Elaris;" and Academy Award nominee SYLVESTER STALLONE (Creed, Rambo, The Expendables, Rocky) as "Victor." The celebrity cast members join the voice talent from the successful Ratchet & Clank video game franchise: JAMES ARNOLD TAYLOR (Star Wars: Clone Wars, TMNT) as "Ratchet"; DAVID KAYE (Up) as "Clank;" ARMIN SHIMERMAN (Bionicle: The Legend Reborn, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) as "Nefarious;" and JIM WARD (The Fairly Odd Parents, Escape from Planet Earth) as "Captain Qwark."
Ratchet & Clank is directed by Kevin Munroe (TMNT), co-directed by Jericca Cleland, and produced by Blockade's Foxhoven and VP of Development David Wohl along with Rainmaker's SVP of Production and Operations, Kim Dent Wilder serving as Producer. Michael Hefferon serves as lead Executive Producer. Former Insomniac Games writer TJ Fixman wrote the original screenplay draft, with director Kevin Munroe contributing significantly to the script.
Ratchet & Clank tells the story of two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is the last of his kind -- a foolhardy "lombax" who has grown up alone on a backwater planet with no family of his own. Clank is a pint-sized robot with more brains than brawn. When the two stumble upon a dangerous weapon capable of destroying entire planets, they must join forces with a team of colorful heroes called The Galactic Rangers in order to save the galaxy. Along the way, they will learn about heroism, friendship, and the importance of discovering one's own identity.
Already sold in over 25 international territories by leading International Sales Agent, Cinema Management Group (CMG), Ratchet & Clank is set to be the most successful 3D animated feature for CMG since it started licensing independently produced animated features in 2004.
Co-financing was arranged by David Sheldon's Seattle based Film Financial Services (FFS) and includes Rainmaker as the lead investor along with China's CNHK (backed by Wang Sicong's Prometheus Capital), and Cinema Management Group.
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC will release Ratchet & Clank®, a re-imagination of the origin story and companion to the animated film, for the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system along with the release of the film. The game is being developed by franchise creator, Insomniac Games. Since the first Ratchet & Clank video game was released in November 2002, the franchise has been a massive success, quickly becoming one of the most popular franchises in the SCEA portfolio, selling over 26 million copies worldwide.
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About Rainmaker Entertainment
Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. is a multifaceted animation studio and one of Canada's largest producers of CG animation. Rainmaker's first feature film, Escape From Planet Earth (distributed by The Weinstein Company), opened on 3200 screens across North America. Originally established as Mainframe Entertainment, the company produced the first ever CGI animation series, ReBoot, and over the course of its 15+ years of innovative history, Rainmaker has continued to break new ground in animation, telling engaging stories and creating compelling characters for all media. In addition to projects Rainmaker has produced with partners and clients including Mattel, The Weinstein Company, Hasbro, Lionsgate and Sony, Rainmaker also develops proprietary projects. Since announcing its return to television development and production in 2013 under the Mainframe Entertainment banner, two animated series are currently in the pipeline: in Fall 2013, the company announced its plans to develop a new version of its iconic CG-animated ReBoot series; and in April 2014, the company began production for HIT Entertainment of 104 10-minute episodes of the new CG-animated Bob the Builder series. For more information, visit www.rainmaker.com.
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About Blockade Entertainment
Blockade Entertainment is an independent production company that creates and produces original and licensed content for feature films, television, and various entertainment and digital platforms. Following a strategic deal with Sony Computer Entertainment, Blockade is currently in production on Ratchet & Clank, a CG-Animated theatrical film; and released Heavenly Sword, a direct to DVD CG-Animated film in 2014. www.blockade.com
About Insomniac Games:
Insomniac Games is an independent videogames developer that has released award-winning hits for consoles and mobile devices for 21-plus years. The studio has created world-famous game franchises such as Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance, resulting in more than 44 million games sold globally. Insomniac recently released its first Xbox One-exclusive game, Sunset Overdrive, in late 2014. In addition to its games, Insomniac is known for its collaborative workplace culture, having earned more than a dozen local, regional and national "best places to work" honors since 2004. Insomniac Games is based in Burbank, Calif., with a studio in Durham, N.C. Additional information can be found on both Insomniac studio locations at http://www.insomniacgames.com.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (SCEA) has revolutionized home entertainment since the first PlayStation® console launched in 1995 in the United States, followed by the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system launch in 2000. SCEA continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, PSN(SM), PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) handheld entertainment system, and the recently launched PlayStation®4 (PS4™) computer entertainment system. SCEA also launched PlayStation®Mobile, a cross device mobile platform using Android-based PlayStation® certified devices in October 2012. Recognized as an undisputed industry leader, SCEA markets the PlayStation® family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4 systems in North and South America. Based in San Mateo, California, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North and South American operations.
PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Ratchet & Clank is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC.
About Film Financial Services
Film Financial Services is a 30 year-old investment banking firm representing international banks and investors, creating media funds and financing independent and studio films through international co-financing arrangements. Headed by CEO David Sheldon, FFS currently represents China's second largest media company, Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation and is providing partial financing for several other Blockade films. See www.filmfinancialservices.com
About CMG
Coming off the company's 10th anniversary, CMG's recent hits include the 3D animated features ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA, KHUMBA and SAVING SANTA whose three combined international box office have soared to over US $70 million. CMG's Cannes 2015 line-up also includes further footage on New Zealand Hip Hop dance sensation BORN TO DANCE featuring choreography of eight-time World Hip Hop Champion winner, Parris Goebel; and Camera d'Or winning director, Fine Torres' latest feature LIZ IN SEPTEMBER, starring supermodel and actress, Patricia Vasquez. For more information, visit www.cinemamanagementgroup.com
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