Rovio Entertainment announced today that it has chosen Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver as its primary animation house for the production of the upcoming Angry Birds feature film, based on Rovio’s globally beloved brand.
“‘Angry Birds’ is a worldwide phenomenon, and its creators want its movie adaptation done right,” said Premier Christy Clark. “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.”
Established in 2010 in the Yaletown area, Sony Pictures Imageworks has amassed a bevy of computer-generated (CG) animation and effects talent at its Vancouver studio.
“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, executive vice-president and general manager, 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.”
“It was very important for Rovio to find the perfect partner in style, talent and location to bring the ‘Angry Birds’ movie to life, and Sony Pictures Imageworks in Vancouver made that decision easy,” said Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio Entertainment.
“After searching the world to find the best animation facility, we felt that the talent at Sony Pictures Imageworks was unparalleled,” Cohen and Winder added.
Angry Birds is being produced by John Cohen and Catherine Winder and executive produced by Mikael Hed and David Maisel. The movie is being directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis from a screenplay by Jon Vitti. It is slated for a July 1, 2016 release and will be distributed worldwide by Sony Pictures.
