Universal Pictures and Stuber Productions Join Forces With Leading Toy and Entertainment Company Spin Master Ltd to Bring Bakugan Battle Brawlers to the Big Screen

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ — Spin Master Ltd. and Universal Pictures have entered into a development deal in which Universal and Stuber Productions will produce a film based on the popular strategic game and anime series Bakugan Battle Brawlers. One of the most sought after toy lines of this holiday season, Bakugan Battle Brawlers is a collectible featuring marble-like balls that transform into powerful Bakugan monsters when rolled on game cards. With its unique combination of great characters and all the play patterns that boys love, Bakugan has rapidly gained recognition around the world as the next big thing in boys’ action entertainment. The anime series Bakugan Battle Brawlers airs six days a week on the Cartoon Network and is continually a Top 10 show for the network.

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“Bakugan brings something original and exciting to the boys’ action genre and we’re looking forward to working with Stuber Productions and Universal to unleash that power on the big screen,” says Ronnen Harary of Spin Master Ltd.

Ronnen Harary from Spin Master Ltd. is producing the film along with Scott Stuber from Stuber Productions. Donna Langley and Jeff Kirschenbaum from Universal are overseeing. Jon Mone of Stuber Productions brought the property to the company through Mike Drake, whom they just worked with on the upcoming Universal release Repossession Mambo. Jon will executive produce.

“I am very excited to collaborate with Spin Master to bring its unique property to the screen. Bakugan has all the elements of a great movie and is already adored by fans across the globe,” said producer Scott Stuber.

“Bakugan provides an excellent concept and storyline for an action packed motion picture thriller,” said Donna Langley. “We are pleased to be joining forces with Spin Master and Stuber to bring this increasingly popular game to the big screen.”

Universal recently released the Stuber Productions’ David Wain comedy Role Models starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott. The company is currently in production on the Peter Billingsley-directed comedy Couples Retreat starring Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman and Jon Favreau, who also wrote the script. Upcoming films to be released by Universal in 2009 are The Wolfman, directed by Joe Johnston and starring Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt and Anthony Hopkins; Traveling, directed by Brandon Camp and starring Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart and Martin Sheen; and the sci-fi thriller Repossession Mambo starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker and directed by Miguel Sapochnik.

About Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Spin Master

A multi-category children’s entertainment company since 1994, Spin Master(TM) has been designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer products for children around the world, and is recognized as one of North America’s fastest growing toy companies. In addition to its work with Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Spin Master(TM) has also marked its foray into entertainment IP and production with the launch of Spin Master Entertainment and Spin Master Studios, both focused on the development of original entertainment content. Spin Master(TM) is best known for such popular brands as Air Hogs(R)(TM), Tech Deck, Aquadoodle(TM), and Moon Sand. Spin Master(TM) employs over 600 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Hong Kong and China. For additional information please visit: www.spinmaster.com.

SOURCE Universal Pictures