Andre Benjamin (AKA Andre 3000) Signs First Look Feature Film and Cable TV Production Deal with MTV and Nickelodeon
Andre's First Project Kicks Off with Nick Movies' 'The Hit' Which He Will
Co-Produce and Will be Developed for Him to Star In
SANTA MONICA, Calif., May 11 -- Marking the first ever multi-
feature film and cable television agreement with Viacom's MTV and Nickelodeon
brands, Grammy Award-winning artist, Andre Benjamin (aka Andre 3000) has
signed a first-look deal to produce feature films and cable TV series and/or
specials across the labels' four distribution divisions. Kicking off this
agreement, Nick Movies and Benjamin will co-produce "The Hit" which will be
developed for him to star in. The film is slated to begin production 2006. The
announcement was made jointly today by Julia Pistor, Senior Vice President,
Nickelodeon Movies and David Gale, Executive Vice President, MTV Films.
"I am so excited to work with the feature film and television divisions of
both Nickelodeon and MTV," said Benjamin. "This is going to be an exciting new
adventure for me and my partners at these two companies and I can't wait to
get started."
"Andre is one of the most original and creative voices in the
entertainment industry and we love working with him," said Judy McGrath,
Chairman/CEO, MTV Networks. "We are thrilled to be able to highlight his
talents on multiple platforms in the Viacom family."
"This is a groundbreaking agreement, the first ever that includes two
brands -- MTV and Nick across four different divisions," said Gale. "This is a
testament to Andre's profound influence as a music, fashion and pop culture
icon."
"We've enjoyed working with Andre on our upcoming "Charlotte's Web,"
stated Pistor. His signature style, creativity, and charm is infectious. We're
so pleased to extend our relationship with him."
The first project from the agreement, "The Hit," based on an original idea
by Lamar Damon ("Slap Her ... She's French") is about a 5th grader named Tyler
who desperately wants to find his single Dad a new wife and he gets his chance
when a mysterious and eccentric man named, "Q" moves in next door and is
revealed to be Cupid.
Currently, Andre is featured in "Be Cool" the sequel to "Get Shorty"
starring John Travolta and Uma Thurman. He is also voicing one of two
dimwitted crows named Elwyn in Nick Movies' "Charlotte's Web" starring the
voices of Julia Roberts, Oprah and Robert Redford. Benjamin also stars in Guy
Ritchie's feature "Revolver" which is slated to be released this year, he
recently completed "Four Brothers" starring with Mark Wahlberg for Paramount
and is starring alongside Big Boi for HBO's "My Life In Idlewild."
Benjamin is best known for his work as half of the pioneering, multiple
Grammy-winning duo, Outkast. Their last album, 2003's Speakerboxx/The Love
Below, propelled by Benjamin's number one single, "Hey Ya!," sold more than 10
million copies and received multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the
Year.
"The Hit" will be produced Julia Pistor. Damon Ross, VP Nick Movies will
oversee the project on behalf of Nick Movies. Nickelodeon Movies will produce
the film in conjunction with Andre 3000 and will be distributed by Paramount.
MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services
MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1,
CMT: Country Music Television, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from
MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are
trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint
ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming
can be seen worldwide.
SOURCE MTV Networks
Web Site: http://www.mtv.com
|