Jack Black’s untitled animated film pitch is being acquired preemptively by Illumination Entertainment, Chris Meledandri’s Universal-based family film unit, according to Variety.

The untitled pitch is centered in the world of cryptozoology, which is the search for legendary creatures whose existence has never actually been confirmed, like the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot.

Pitch was made by scribe Jason Micallef, with Black in the room. Black will produce with partner Ben Cooley through their Electric Dynamite banner, along with Meledandri. Black is only aboard as producer and will not provide a voice in the film. It is Black’s first animation project as producer, but he and Cooley are producers on the Black starrer “Gulliver’s Travels” and the docu “Branson.” Black’s previous producing credits include “Nacho Libre” and “Tenacious D In the Pick of Destiny.”

He is separately reprising for the “Kung Fu Panda” sequel and lent his voice to “Shark Tale” and the first installment of “Ice Age.”

Micallef previously wrote “Butter,” a script that made the Black List, and has Jennifer Garner attached with Michael De Luca producing. Micallef,and Underground Films’ Josh McGuire, most recently rewrote “The King of Kong” for New Line.

Illumination’s first major animation release is “Despicable Me,” which Universal releases July 9. Steve Carell provides the lead voice, and Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Julie Andrews and Russell Brand also voice characters.

Story by:Richard Verrier

Never bashful about his company’s prospects, DreamWorks Animation SKG Chief Executive Jeffrey Katzenberg told analysts and investors that next year would be the “biggest in the company’s history.”

Speaking at a conference at the company’s Glendale headquarters, Katzenberg touted eight upcoming computer-animated movies, including three scheduled for release next year.

The studio is gearing up for a massive marketing campaign — complete with a Winter Olympics promotion — for “How to Train Your Dragon,”  which is based on the book by Cressida Cowell and scheduled to be released March 26.  Next up is the fourth installment in the Shrek franchise, “Shrek Forever After,” on May 21, followed by ”Megamind,” a superhero story starring Tina Fey and Brad Pitt, on Nov. 5

“We couldn’t be more excited about the lineup of films here,” said Katzenberg, adding that the films will  get a significant boost from 3-D screenings, which command higher ticket prices. Based on a ticket premium of $3.50, the studio estimates 3-D viewings will contribute net revenue of $30 million to $40 million per film. North America has about 3,500 3-D screens, but that number is expected to grow substantially next year as theaters secure financing to pay for the digital conversion of theaters.

Katzenberg and other company executives stressed that the company’s growth would come not only from the box office but also from its various non-theatrical businesses, including three new TV series based on its franchise characters, the upcoming nationwide tour of “Shrek the Musical” Broadway show, and a Universal Studios theme park opening in Singapore next year that will feature attractions from DreamWorks movies.

TV specials and series, including the successful “Penguins of Madagascar” TV series on Nickelodeon, which is now distributed in 60 foreign territories, will contribute $40 million to $60 million in revenue next year, said Ann Daly, chief operating officer for DreamWorks Animation.

“Our TV business will be a substantial driver of growth for the years to come,” Daly said.

Investors apparently liked what they heard.  The company’s share price jumped 10%, closing at $37.96, today. Theyre up 68% from a year ago.

Photo: Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) befriends Toothless, an injured Night Fury dragon, in DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” to be released March 26. Credit: DreamWorks Animation SKG

Matthew McConaughey is developing and animated TV comedy with FOX. The show will be based on his brother’s life according to Variety.

“Rooster Tales” follows the world of a beer-swilling, redneck sheriff who marries a much younger woman from Mexico. The man soon realizes, however, that he’s gained not only a wife but an entire clan — 114 members and counting.

“My brother’s life is so unbelievable, we had to animate it,” McConaughey said.

Twentieth Century Fox TV is behind the project, which is currently in script stage. Fox landed “Rooster Tales” after competitive bids from TBS and Comedy Central.

McConaughey will exec produce through his J.K. Livin’ Prods. banner.

Also onboard to exec produce are Mike “Rooster” McConaughey, Mark Gustawes and scribe Kell Cahoon (”Psych”).

Project reps the second TV sale of the year from J.K. Livin’, which is also developing “Jonah and the Whale” at Starz.

By Alex Ben Block
Nov 20, 2009, 08:36 PM ET
Corrected: Nov 20, 2009, 09:27 PM ET

“Avatar”
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Q&A: James Cameron
How long is it?

That is the question about James Cameron’s “Avatar,” the science-fiction epic opening Dec. 18 that has been hotly debated for months, with rampant speculation that it would run over three hours.

In fact, it will be well under that, at least in part to meet limits imposed by Imax technology.

The actual running time will be 150 minutes, which is two and a half hours, according to Bruce Snyder, president of domestic distribution for 20th Century Fox, which is handling the release of the movie. He said that may rise to 156 minutes when all of the credits are added on, but that would be the maximum running time.

That will allow for two showings each evening at theaters, most likely at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. That would also mean about three daytime showings, beginning at 10 a.m., for a total of five shows a day in each auditorium. Typically a theater operator needs half an hour between shows with the lights up to move people out and get the auditorium cleaned, and then another 20 minutes with the lights down for trailers, in-theater advertising and other promotions and announcements.

“Avatar” will start with midnight screenings and play around the clock at first, but that is expected to be the case only for the first few days, after which it will play a normal pattern of runs.

It is unclear exactly how many theaters “Avatar” will open in, but Snyder estimates it will play in 3D in about 2,500 locations on about 3,500 screens. It will also be available in about 1,500 other locations in 2D, where it could play multiple screens in each theater complex. That would indicate an opening on a minimum of 5,500 screens and possibly significantly more, and that’s just in the U.S. It will also open in theaters in countries around the world.

There have been stories circulated that “Avatar” would run over three hours, which is understandable because Cameron movies have run long in the past. His last narrative feature was “Titanic” in 1997, which ran 194 minutes, or three hours and 14 minutes.

Cameron has said that one of the constraints on his decision about running time was the Imax runs. “Avatar” will open day-and-date in 3D in about 180 domestic Imax theaters (which is included in the 2,500 locations) and several dozen more internationally. In those theaters that are not yet converted to digital projection, they are limited to two of the giant platters that hold the film, which caps the length of a movie using the system at 170 minutes, which thus became the maximum length that Cameron was willing to let “Avatar” run. In fact, he came in well under that with his final edit.

Imax has not scheduled another movie into its circuit until the first week of March, in anticipation of a historically long run for “Avatar.” Most movies play about three weeks in Imax. If it is as successful as anticipated, “Avatar” is expected to play for about ten weeks. That would break the record for an Imax run set last year by “Dark Knight,” which ran for 10 weeks.

Domestic movie theaters are expected to commit to an eight-week initial run for “Avatar,” but ultimately that will depend on its performance. If it is disappointing, that could be cut short, and if it becomes as popular as “Titanic” was in its time, it could play even longer. Snyder would not comment on the terms being asked, but Fox is understood to be seeking “premium” terms from exhibitors for what is one of the most highly anticipated movies in years.

Fox has confirmed that the movie cost at least $230 million to make, but there have been reports it is much more than that. Fox is also expected to spend as much as $100 million to advertise, market and promote “Avatar” around the world, and through partnerships with Panasonic (which is using it to launch its new line of 3D TV sets) and licensees like Mattell (toys) and Ubisoft video games, which will pour on millions more in ancillary marketing.

SOURCE: Hollywood Reporter

According to Variety, Blizzard’s CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 hit stellar numbers in sales on it’s opening day selling 4.7 units.  This tops opening day numbers of the reigning champion GRAND THEFT AUTO 4 in 2008, selling 3.7 million units on its first day.  While not being quite the “largest entertainment launch in history” which was Activision Blizzard’s goal, it was still enough in sales and spectacle to turn heads.  MODERN WARFARE 2 even had its own opening day celebration in London’s Leicester Square, being the first video game in history to do so.

A camouflage-hued carpet replaced red at the Nov. 10 event, and thesps Kevin McKidd , Billy Murray and Craig Fairbrass were on hand to discuss their voice roles in the epic game, which follows a platoon of soldiers in South America, Russia, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan.

Even though video game sales numbers are down this year, in between MODERN WARFARE 2 and THE BEATLES: ROCKBAND , i believe the industry has had a  strong boost into the holiday season.