EA, Starz Partner For Dead Space Animated Film

Electronic Arts and Starz Media are joining up to develop an animated film that will serve as a prequel to EA's upcoming survival horror title Dead Space, and revealed additional animation projects in progress for two other unspecified EA franchises. The Dead Space prequel film will be a continuation from a six-book Image Comics series based on the upcoming game, carrying on the plot where the comics leave off. The Dead Space storyline focuses on events on board a futuristic mining spaceship after it pulls a mysterious artifact from a dig site, triggering the invasion of an alien presence. The animation is set to release on broadcast TV and DVD on Halloween 2008, at the same time as the game. It is produced by Starz's film unit, Film Roman, and Starz says it has already contacted interested broadcasters. As for feature sales, Starz plans to launch internationally at the upcoming MIP-TV market in Cannes, France. The company will also market the movie through its home entertainment company Anchor Bay Entertainment, as well as via online and wireless distributors. EA stressed a commitment to developing film entertainment projects based on its games. Dead Space executive producer Glen Schofield commented, "We are really excited to be working with Film Roman to create an animated feature that will tell the portion of the Dead Space saga between the comic and game,. With the video game, comic book and now animated movie, Dead Space has become a true multimedia brand. Each of these elements delivers the story to new audiences and tells it from different aspects and perspectives."