Paramount nabs “Capture the Flag,” “Return of Hero” animation films

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a first for Spanish productions, Paramount Pictures has signed a deal for worldwide distribution rights to two animated features – Capture the Flag and the sequel to 2012 hit Tad, the Lost Explorer, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Enrique Gato, who helmed the first Tad film, will direct both projects, which are to be co-produced by Mediaset Espana’s Telecinco Cinema, Telefonica Studios and Los Rockets AIE, the companies said in a press release.

“This tie-up is an historic landmark in Spanish cinema as it will be the first time that a Hollywood studio agreed to distribute worldwide two Spanish films,” the companies said.

Capture the Flag, set to be released in summer 2015, is inspired by the space race of the 1960s: It is the story of an evil billionaire who tries to secure the energy source of the future, helium 3, by erasing all evidence of the 1969 moon landing and especially the American flag planted by the astronauts of Apollo XI.

Working against his dastardly designs are a young surfer named Mike, two friends, a lizard and Mike’s grandfather, a former astronaut.

The companies said the announcement of the distribution deal was timed to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the first moon landing.

The second film, to be titled Tad Jones: The Return of the Hero and released in 2016, will continue the adventures of the Spanish builder who in the first installment became an Indiana Jones-type archaeologist/adventurer in South America.

It broke box-office records in its home market for a Spanish animated feature and went on to earn more than €45 million ($60.8 million) worldwide.

“We are very pleased to once again work with Mediaset Espana, Telefonica Studios and their partners in two upcoming animation releases,” said Anthony Marcoly, Paramount’s chief of international distribution.

“Paramount has a long history of launching animated films worldwide and is looking forward to this new partnership opportunity,” he added.

Mediaset Espana has been behind such Spanish international box-office successes as Pan’s Labyrinth, The Impossible and The Orphanage.