Live Action Max Steel Movie Gets Fall 2014 Release Date

Max Steel confirmed for 2014 release through Open Road Films

Dolphin Entertainment, Inc. and Mattel, Inc., have partnered to develop the live-action, feature-length film Max Steel based on Mattel's franchise property of the same name. The film will be produced by Dolphin Films, a newly-formed subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment. Open Road Films will distribute Max Steel in the U.S. as the first of a multi-picture agreement with Dolphin Films. The film will be given a wide release in theaters in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Here's what Dolphin Entertainment CEO Bill O'Dowd had to say about the project.

"Today marks the beginning of an exciting new relationship between Dolphin Entertainment and Mattel, two companies that have consistently worked to delight and entertain children all over the world. We couldn't think of a better property to kick off Dolphin's feature film division than Max Steel, which tells a story of the power of friendship and teamwork, with a heavy dose of humor - all qualities we hope to bring to our partnership with the Mattel team. Launching our film division has been a natural progression for us. Along with our established television and digital departments, our theatrical group will complete our goal of having a fully cross-platform production and distribution business. Open Road Films was the first choice for our theatrical partner as Tom Ortenberg, Elliott Kleinberg and Jason Cassidy are not only accomplished in the theatrical distribution business, but also true gentlemen."

Dolphin Films' multi-picture agreement with Open Road Films will focus on motion pictures aimed at families, tweens, teens and young adults, which is a strategy that aligns closely with Dolphin and O'Dowd's history delivering television and digital programming to those demographics.

Open Road Films CEO Tom Ortenberg had this to say about working with Dolphin Entertainment.

"Dolphin has an excellent track record in creating family, tween, teen and young adult- focused entertainment. We can't wait to work with Bill O'Dowd and his team to bring this product to the marketplace."

Created internally by Mattel, the Max Steel franchise spans multi-platform entertainment, toys and consumer products. In development with Dolphin Entertainment the feature-length film will introduce audiences to a new and never-before-seen world of Max Steel.

Mattel's Doug Wadleigh had this to say about the project.

"Teaming with Dolphin Entertainment and top Hollywood creative talent to write, produce and direct the feature film, Max Steel will excite and engage audiences around the world. Max Steel's debut on the big screen is the next evolutionary step for the franchise utilizing a live-action theatrical format to truly personify the brand."

Bill O'Dowd will produce the film alongside kid's entertainment veteran Julia Pistor who is producing for Mattel. Pistor's storytelling and production expertise spans over two-decades with extensive work in television, film and syndication for premier global entertainment companies including Nickelodeon, HIT Entertainment and Viacom Enterprises.

Julia Pistor had this to say in her own statement.

"Max Steel is an action-packed, character-driven story that fits perfectly into the creative movie-making mold. We have assembled a world-class team in bringing Christopher (Yost) and Stewart (Hendler) to the project and collectively will tell the origin story of Max Steel in an authentic, visually compelling way."

Max Steel tells the story of teenager Maxwell McGrath and alien companion Steel who can combine special turbo-energy powers to generate sensational superhero Max Steel. The storyline centers on bringing a positive and relatable hero to kids, drawing upon turbo-charged teamwork, laughter and friendship.

Max Steel writer Christopher Yost most recently rewrote and did the production work on Thor: The Dark World for Marvel and director Alan Taylor. He also wrote the superhero adventure Secret Headquarters for Paramount and Stuber Pictures. Previously, Yost was a member of Marvel's Writers Program, where he worked on the first Thor. Max Steel director Stewart Hendler recently directed and executive produced H+, a digital series for Dolphin Entertainment and Warner Brothers Entertainment, winning a Best Director award and sharing in a Best Sci-Fi or Action Series award at The 2013 Streamy Awards. Hendler also recently completed work on the award-winning digital series Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn. Between them, Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn and H+ have garnered 24 industry nominations, thus far. He also manages an active feature film career, having directed the studio features Whisper and Sorority Row, as well as developing several large-scale studio projects.

Dolphin Entertainment has a long history delivering television and digital programming to children and young adults. Dolphin's programs can be seen in more than 300 million homes in over 100 territories worldwide. Dolphin Entertainment shows include the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated Nickelodeon hit series Zoey 101, Nickelodeon's top-rated Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, and in partnership with Warner Bros Digital both AOL/Cambio distributed series Aim High starring Jackson Rathbone and Aimee Teegarden, and YouTube distributed H+ from Bryan Singer.

O'Dowd has appointed Charles Cohen, former COO of MGM Studios, to serve as President of the newly-formed Dolphin Films. With Cohen at the helm, Dolphin Films will produce all theatrical projects for Dolphin Entertainment. Cohen is a 25-year veteran of MGM Studios, who most recently held the position of senior adviser for Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corporation.

Here's what Charles Cohen had to say in his statement.

"I'm thrilled with this opportunity, as there is a tremendous void in the marketplace of independently produced films aimed at families and younger audiences. The wealth of experience that Dolphin brings from the television, digital, branding, licensing and merchandising worlds will help accelerate the creation of franchise properties within our feature film division."

Bill O'Dowd added the following statement in regards to Charles Cohen.

"During his long tenure at MGM, Charles Cohen worked on several large properties across multiple platforms, which makes him ideally suited to lead Dolphin Films. We couldn't be happier that Charles has joined us, as we feel he's the perfect addition to a stellar cast of experienced executives involved in this partnership."

The Dolphin Films/Open Road Films deal was negotiated by Ken Deutsch of O'Melveny and Myers for Dolphin and Tom Ortenberg, Elliott Kleinberg, general counsel and executive vice president of Operations and Business Affairs, and Ben Cotner, senior vice president of Acquisitions on behalf of Open Road Films. The introduction of Dolphin and Mattel was facilitated by CAA.

Max Steel comes to theaters in 2014. The film is directed by Stewart Hendler.

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