Skip to main content

I-play Acquires Rights for Universal Pictures' "Wanted"

I-play to Create Mobile Game for Upcoming Fantasy-Thriller

San Mateo, CA & London, UK - November 14, 2007: Mobile users worldwide will soon be able to step into a secret society of assassins and discover their latent super abilities when the highly-anticipated release of Universal Pictures' "Wanted" - staring James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie - arrives in the form of a groundbreaking new mobile game. The mobile entertainment company I-play has expanded its partnership with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group to develop and distribute a mobile game based on the film.

I-play, in collaboration with Universal, aims to capture the vision of director Timur Bekmambetov and convey the epic's power on mobile. This innovative game will feature unique character movement and gaming physics. The launch of 'Wanted', the mobile game, is planned to coincide with the theatrical release of "Wanted" worldwide.

David Gosen, President, I-play commented: "We are hugely excited to have been chosen to take one of Universal's prized licenses for 2008 to mobile. Our heritage for creating groundbreaking concepts in mobile gaming has been proven many times before, and we look forward to re-writing the rules of gaming with 'Wanted', the mobile game."

Jeremy Laws, SVP of Universal Mobile Entertainment, commented: "I-play's passion and expertise in this arena, combined with our track record of creating and marketing mobile games based on our signature motion picture brands makes this collaboration particularly compelling."

About "Wanted"

Based upon Mark Millar's explosive graphic novel series and helmed by stunning visualist director Timur Bekmambetov-creator of the most successful Russian film franchise in history, the "Night Watch" series-"Wanted" tells the tale of one apathetic nobody's transformation into an unparalleled enforcer of justice. In 2008, the world will be introduced to a hero for a new generation: Wesley Gibson.

25-year-old Wes (James McAvoy) was the most disaffected, cube-dwelling drone the planet had ever known. His boss chewed him out hourly, his girlfriend ignored him routinely and his life plodded on interminably. Everyone was certain this disengaged slacker would amount to nothing. There was little else for Wes to do but wile away the days and die in his slow, clock-punching rut.

Until he met a woman named Fox (Angelina Jolie).

After his estranged father is murdered, the deadly sexy Fox recruits Wes into the Fraternity, a secret society that trains Wes to avenge his dad's death by unlocking his dormant powers. As she teaches him how to develop lightning-quick reflexes and phenomenal agility, Wes discovers this team lives by an ancient, unbreakable code: carry out the death orders given by fate itself.

With wickedly brilliant tutors-including the Fraternity's enigmatic leader, Sloan (Morgan Freeman)-Wes grows to enjoy all the strength he ever wanted. But, slowly, he begins to realize there is more to his dangerous associates than meets the eye. And as he wavers between newfound heroism and vengeance, Wes will come to learn what no one could ever teach him: he alone controls his destiny.

The film is slated to debut in U.S theaters on Friday, March 28, 2008

About I-play

I-play brings the best in mobile entertainment to an audience of over one billion people via a network of more than 120 carriers worldwide. I-play has been creating mobile games since 1998 and continues to spearhead the creation of mobile entertainment for the next generation.

I-play is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oberon Media, the world's leading casual games company. Oberon's Game Centre platform is the industry standard and has been adopted by many of the world's largest corporations. The platform combines casual game content, merchandizing and features to fulfill each partner's specific needs. Oberon Media's publishing arm works with the industry's best, award-winning game developers to produce the top-selling casual games, which can be played in more than a dozen languages on PC, web-based, mobile and console platforms.

Founded in 2003, Oberon Media is headquartered in New York, with offices in North America, Europe and Asia.

For more information visit us at http://www.iplay.com//

I-play is a trademark and trading name of Digital Bridges Limited.

About Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group

Universal Pictures Digital Platforms (UPDPG) is responsible for global digital product development, production, licensing, distribution, and growth strategy for the extensive catalogue of Universal's properties across new and emerging digital platforms, including mobile, video game consoles, personal computers, and other portable devices. With a worldwide mandate to help shape the digital future of Universal Pictures, the Group has offices in Universal City, California; London, England; and Tokyo, Japan.

Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group is a unit of Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Universal Pictures is a division of NBC Universal, 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 Universal Entertainment, 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.

Read this next

GamesIndustry.biz avatar
GamesIndustry International is the world's leading games industry website, incorporating GamesIndustry.biz and IndustryGamers.com.