Ed Jones, an executive producer on feature animation Oscar winner Happy Feet, has joined Rainmaker Animation to produce Escape From Planet Earth. The Hollywood Reporter says The Weinstein Company is financing the comedy and will handle worldwide distribution.
The film marks the first theatrical animated feature for Rainmaker. Production began last week at the company’s Vancouver facility; voice talent has not yet been cast.
“Earth” is directed by Tony Leech and written by Leech and Cory Edwards. Producing with Jones are Preston Stutzman of Blue Yonder Films, Jonathan Shestack of Jon Shestack Prods., Brian Inerfeld of Protocol and Gregory R. Little of Rainmaker Animation. Rick Mischel is executive producer, and Jeremy Stein will co-produce.
“Earth,” an original idea by Leech, is a comedy about an alien prison break from Area 51.