26.2.09
Samuel L. Jackson to Play Nick Fury in Long-Term Deal with Marvel
Samuel L. Jackson and Marvel Ent. have come to a deal for the actor to play Nick Fury in IRON MAN 2 and up to nine more future Marvel superhero releases, reports VARIETY.
Marvel reportedly upset Jackson when he was offered pittance to reprise his role in future films, which has also been the root of problems in offers to talent like Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell, according to sources, despite a gross of upwards of $600 million for IRON MAN.
Fury is the leader of Shield, an espionage unit that in the Marvel universe has him crossing paths with many of the superheroes. Jackson will likely now appear in CAPTAIN AMERICA, THOR, THE AVENGERS and THE SHIELD as well as any sequels. Jackson was introduced to the world as Fury during the closing moments of last summer's IRON MAN, when he asks Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark to join the group.
Imagi Gets Money to Complete Astro Boy, Restructures
Asian-based CG-animated movie studio Imagi International Holdings will have enough money to complete feature film project ASTRO BOY. The company raised about $25 million to finish the film and will release it on time on October 23, 2009.
Imagi will still have to raise additional financing to ramp up production of films currently scheduled for release in 2010 and 2011 before box office receipts come in for ASTRO BOY.
DAILY VARIETY reports that all but 23 of its California-based staffers have been called back to work. In January, about 100 of Imagi's 120 workers (mostly in Sherman Oaks) were furloughed.
Imagi also announced Wednesday it has adopted a comprehensive financing plan to provide the operating capital needed to complete ASTRO BOY, and to provide the company with a solid financial foundation for future growth. The financing plan includes the raising of substantial capital from new and existing investors, the appointment of a financial advisor, the replacement of convertible debt with equity, and the acquisition of bridging loans to stabilize operations in the near term.
Imagi has appointed Anglo Chinese Corporate Finance as its financial advisor. Anglo Chinese will undertake a comprehensive review of the company's financial requirements, business prospects, and financing options. It is anticipated that Anglo Chinese will then assist the company in structuring and implementing a fundraising exercise that may include, but would not be limited to, a rights offering. An announcement will be made by the company when the terms of the fund raising exercise are available in accordance with the Listing Rules.
Imagi has obtained proposals for up to $16.6 million of bridge debt, of which approximately one third has been drawn down. It believes that the bridge funding is sufficient to sustain its operations through completion of its next substantial capital raising. Should additional bridge financing be required, the company is confident based upon assurances from current bridge lenders that such funds will be available. Some or all of the bridge debt could convert to equity, subject to agreement upon terms of subscription agreements and in some cases shareholder approvals.
In addition to stabilizing current operations, the proceeds of the bridge funding have been applied to past due payables, including deferred payroll and vendor invoices. As a result, Imagi has avoided material disruptions in the production and marketing of its film ASTRO BOY, and has been able to sustain development of longer term film projects, namely the announced GATCHAMAN and TUSKER films.
As part of the overall plan to strengthen and restructure Imagi's balance sheet, the company has initiated discussions with Winnington Capital relative to the exchange of its HK$132 million Convertible Note into equity. It is anticipated that completion of Imagi's contemplated financings would trigger an early redemption provision of the Winnington convertible note, and thus it would be in the interest of the company and its shareholders to exchange the debt for share equity. Should the Company and Winnington Capital enter into a definitive agreement in this regard, the consent of independent shareholders may be required.
To this end, Imagi has appointed four new directors to its board. Paul Steven Serfaty, Phoon Chiong Kit and William Montgomerie Courtauld have been appointed non-executive directors. Richard Arthur Witts has been appointed independent non-executive director and Chairman. Witts has also been appointed a member of the audit and remuneration committee. Douglas Glen, CEO and executive director, has been appointed to the remuneration committee. Ng See Yuen and Oh Kok Chi remain as independent non-executive directors, and Oh remains a member of the audit committee.
Additionally, Francis Kao has resigned as chairman and executive director in order to devote more time to his role as the chief creative officer of the company. Kao founded the company in 2000.
courtesy of http://www.awn.com/
25.2.09
18.2.09
KL DESIGN WEEK 2009
studio 4c will be attending this conference
for more info go to http://kldesignweek.com
