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Tyler Perry Gets Animated with "Madea" DVD Project
posted on Feb 20, 2008
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Tyler Perry Productions and Exodus Film
Group have inked a deal to co-produce a series of animated DVDs
inspired by Tyler Perry's signature character, "Madea." Opinionated and
brash, yet loving, Perry's Madea's has charmed audiences from stage to
screen, in such hits as, "Madea's Family Reunion," "Diary of a Mad Black
Woman," and the upcoming "Meet the Browns."
The yet untitled project will follow "Madea" on her adventurous and comedic
trials and tribulations, teaching children about family values, in a way
that only Madea could.
"After receiving thousands of letters from parents telling me how much
their kids love Madea and realizing that a lot of the plays were not kid
friendly," said Perry, "I wanted to do something more appropriate and this
seems to be it. A 'Madea' animation looks like the best way."
"Exodus recognized that there was a void in the marketplace for animated
properties geared toward the African American family," said Jerome
Williams, Exodus senior vice president of business development. "We're
excited to help bring Tyler's vision for Madea's animated world to life."
Max Howard, Exodus president added, "We know this opportunity to work with
Tyler was highly sought after and we are thrilled he chose to partner with
Exodus."
This is the very first animated project for the successful Madea character.
Under the arrangement, Tyler Perry Productions and Exodus will jointly
develop and produce the series, with Exodus financing. The idea was first
realized 18 months ago by Tyler Perry, William Morris' Charles King, and
Exodus' Jerome Williams. Perry is set to create, write and executive
produce with Exodus CEO John Eraklis, Howard, and Williams producing.
Since making his film debut in 2005 with Lionsgate's "Diary of a Mad Black
Woman," Tyler Perry has become a multimedia phenomenon with a roster of
hugely successful film, stage, television, and book projects. Three of
Perry's four films have debuted at number one at the North American box
office, and the films' combined theatrical gross is over $200 million. The
combined net sales of his twelve DVDs total 16.8 million units. Perry began
his career as a playwright with "I Know I've Been Changed" in 1992; six
years and many failed productions later, the play became an overnight
success after what was to have been its final performance ever. Perry's
nine produced plays to date have grossed tens of millions of dollars and
have set box office records in major venues across the country, including
the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and the Beacon Theater in New York.
Perry's first book, "Don't Make a Black Woman Take Off Her Earrings:
Madea's Uninhibited Commentaries on Life and Love," debuted at #1 on the
New York Times hardcover nonfiction bestseller list the week of April 30,
2006, and was named both "Book of the Year" and "Humor Book of the Year" at
the October 2006 Quill Book Awards.
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