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EIDOS AND PARAMOUNT PLAN TOMB RAIDER LIVE ACTION FEATURE FILM
- Eidos licenses film rights to Tomb Raider to Paramount Pictures
- Extends Distribution of Lara Croft Character to Motion Picture Industry
Eidos plc, Europe's largest publisher and developer of entertainment software, announces that it has entered into an agreement to license the worldwide film rights to "Tomb Raider" to Paramount Pictures. Paramount, in conjunction with Eidos, plans to produce a live action feature film based on the top-selling video game title. Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc.
Mr Lawrence Gordon and Mr Lloyd Levin will the action adventure. Since premiering in November 1996, "Tomb Raider" and its successor, "Tomb Raider 2," have sold over six million copies, making it one of the best-selling video game titles in history. Lara Croft, the game's star, has been featured on more than 80 magazine and newspaper covers around the world.
Mr Charles Cornwall, Chief Executive of Eidos, commented: "This agreement highlights our focus on creating interactive entertainment content that can be leveraged into other media through low risk ventures. In securing this major distribution platform for our top-selling franchise, we have improved our long-term potential to generate value for our shareholders. We look forward to working with Paramount in building upon the awareness and following for the �Tomb Raider' and Lara Croft brands."
Mr John Goldwyn, President of Paramount Motion Pictures, said: "We are thrilled by the possibilities of this film project. We are confident that the pairing of Eidos, a leading company in the cutting-edge world of video game, and producers Larry Gordon and Lloyd Levin, will result in a ground-breaking live -action adventure movie with worldwide appeal."
Mr Gorden has produced more than 30 films and has been involved in some of the most successful action franchises in history, including "48 HRS." "Another 48 HRS," "Die Hard" and "Die Hard 2"; and "Predator" and "Predator 2." He was producer of the Oscar®-nominated "Field of Dreams" as well as the more recent "Boogie Nights," Paramount Pictures' "Event Horizon," and "Devil's Own."
Producer Mr Levin has worked with Mr Gordon for more than a decade. Recently, he produced the much acclaimed "Boogie Nights," and Paramount Pictures' "Event Horizon." He also executive produced "Used People," Predator 2" and Die Hard 2:Die Harder" and produced "The Rocketeer." Mr. Levin was formerly president of production at Largo Entertainment, where he oversaw the production of such films as "Point Break" and "Timecop."
Eidos plc is Europe's largest publisher and developer of entertainment software. The Company develops and distributes a diverse mix of titles for the Sony PlayStation and multimedia PC markets in the US, England and Europe. Eidos was represented in the deal by Leigh Brecheen and Tom Collier of Bloom, Hergott, Cook, Diemer and Klein.