Inferno

I've got to tell you, this one slipped by me:

Electronic Arts Inc. and Starz Media's Film Roman announced today the start of production on an animated movie based on the immortal epic Dante's Inferno. The feature-length project will expand on the story in EA's new game coming out ... in 2010.

"This is like nothing else out in the marketplace right now - a visually stunning project based on one of the most powerful stories ever told," notes Jay Fukuto, Head of Studio for Film Roman. "It could only happen with a partner with the vision and creativity of EA. They were great collaborators on 'Dead Space: Downfall,' and we expect another very rewarding experience with this new feature."

"The animated feature will be a great companion piece to the game," said Jonathan Knight, Executive Producer and Creative Director for Dante's Inferno. "The feature will explore aspects of the poem that the game does not, and will provide more insight into the characters and the unique story adaptation that the game has established." ...

I've roamed the halls of Starz Media/Film Roman for some time now, and not a word did I hear about this project.

And today I called a Starz exec to ask about it, and got the reply: "New one on me."

So there you are. A new full-length 'toon explodes across the internets, and I'm pig-ignorant about it.

Meanwhile, I asked a couple of Simpsons staffers when they thought the Yellow Family would get themselves a second theatrical feature and was told:

"Not for awhile. Gracie Films says Jim Brooks is off doing a live-action movie, and won't be even thinking about a Simpsons movie for at least a year. And that means they won't have a script for probably two years."

Two freaking years. But maybe that would be pretty good timing, because the teevee series is supposed to be finishing up its new two-year order around then, so artists could jump over to the feature.

I dream.