Lionsgate has announced that it will partner with Crest Animation Studios to co-produce the stereoscopic 3D animated family feature Norm of the North. This is the second of a three film deal between the two companies. The announcement was jointly made by executives from both studios including Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate President of Motion Picture Production and Noah Fogelson, CEO of Crest Animation Productions.
The film follows the story of Norm, a Polar Bear who finds shelter in an abandoned research station when his Arctic home begins cracking and collapsing beneath him. He is accompanied by three Arctic Lemmings, sidekicks who instinctively copy Norm’s every move. Norm enjoys this immensely as he has a love of entertaining, and an aversion to the mundane work in his community. All in all, life is good for our heroes; plenty of food, warmth, and aerobic dancing DVDs, which also help Norm perfect his “moves.” But as the polar ice caps continue mysteriously breaking apart, their temporary home is abruptly dislodged, setting Norm and the lemmings on a journey that ends in NYC. Here Norm is discovered by the head of a multinational company and becomes their mascot. Suddenly Norm is living his performing dream as a dancing star. Unfortunately, he also soon learns the polar ice caps are continuing to break apart, and the people that made his dream come true are responsible. Norm knows he must stop them before they destroy his home, a realization that forces him to choose between life in the spotlight and his entire Polar Bear community.
The first film in the Lionsgate and Crest partnership is the upcoming CGI animated family feature, Alpha and Omega, directed by Anthony Bell and Ben Gluck. It will feature the voices of Justin Long, Hayden Panetierre, Christina Ricci, Danny Glover, Dennis Hopper and Larry Miller. Alpha and Omega is expected to premiere in October 2010 while Norm of the North, is anticipating a release within the first quarter of 2012.
What do you think of the films being developed through the Lionsgate and Crest partnership?