"Dead Space" cartoon heralds video game release

By David Ward

SAN DIEGO (Hollywood Reporter) - Electronic Arts and Starz Media are producing an animated prequel movie to the upcoming sci-fi horror video game "Dead Space".

The film, being developed by Starz subsidiary Film Roman, will pick up where the comic book series on which it is based ends and leads to the beginning of the game.

With the game, set for a Halloween launch, Film Roman president and COO Scott Greenberg said the company is looking to release the animated film between mid-September and late October, initially as a TV special in multiple markets, followed by a home video release through Starz's home entertainment company, Anchor Bay Entertainment.

"We're really looking for this to be an event," Greenberg said. "We feel we'll attract the hardcore gamer, but we'll also get sci-fi and animation fans as well."

Greenberg said there will be two versions of the film -- a softer one for TV and a harder one with more blood and coarser language for the DVD. Starz also is eyeing Web-based and wireless distribution.

Film Roman has been working for several years with Electronic Arts on projects tied to EA games. "We felt this one was the best one to launch with," noted Greenberg, whose animation company is behind "The Simpsons," "King of the Hill" and the preschool hit "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!"

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter