Rovio Entertainment has chosen Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver as the primary animation house for the production of the upcoming “Angry Birds” movie.
The film, based on the wildly popular game, is being produced by John Cohen and Catherine Winder along with exec producers Mikael Hed and David Maisel and helmers Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis.
“Angry Birds” is set to bow on July 1, 2016, with Sony Pictures to distribute worldwide.
“‘Angry Birds’ is a worldwide phenomenon, and its creators want its movie adaptation done right,” British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said in a statement. “And to do it right, Rovio and Sony Pictures Imageworks have shown their faith in Vancouver — and that will lead to more opportunities and more jobs.”
Sony Pictures Imageworks has gathered lots of CG animation and effects talent at its Vancouver studio, established in 2010.
“The ‘Angry Birds’ movie will allow Sony Pictures Imageworks to employ more artists in Vancouver on a single film than we’ve had on any of our previous CG features,” said Randy Lake, exec VP and general manager of digital production services. “British Columbia is rich with animation and effects talent, and we look forward to further enhancing the production staff in our Vancouver facility.”
Popular on Variety
“Angry Birds” began in 2009 as a mobile game and remains the No. 1 paid app of all time. While the movie will be Rovio’s first feature film, fans currently enjoy the weekly “Angry Birds Toons” TV series, which launched in March 2013 and received more than 1 billion views in its first seven months.
