Sony better be hoping that Angry Birds isn’t just a passing fad and still popular in 2016. The studio is taking a big gamble on that by agreeing to release the animated film based on the addictive mobile game.
In a statement posted on its website, game developer Rovio announced that the studio has won worldwide distribution rights to the film and has scheduled it for a July 1, 2016 release.
“Every studio in town would love to add Angry Birds to their slate,” Michael Lynton, Chairman & CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Amy Pascal, Co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said in the statement. “There are few titles out there that bring this kind of excitement, brand awareness and built-in audience to the table. We’re thrilled to be distributing this film and we hope this is just the beginning of what will be a long relationship with Rovio as we look for ways to work on future projects together.”
The movie was announced back in December. John Cohen, who produced Universal’s hit Despicable Me, is still onboard to produce and will be joined by Iron Man producer David Maisel.
“We are very excited to join with Sony Pictures in presenting this movie to the world in 2016 and we will have many more announcements as we begin production in the coming months,” the producers said.
Rovio has turned Angry Birds into a worldwide phenomenon with the games earning over 1.7 billion downloads. The Angry Birds film will be Rovio Entertainment’s first film, but follows the release of the Angry Birds Toons.
image: Rovio.com