Icon Film Distribution, the British releasing arm of Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey's Icon Prods., has acquired U.K. rights to "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" from Destination Films.
Pic is based on Britt Allcroft's "Thomas the Tank Engine" children's TV series, a leading preschool brand in its native land. Allcroft is writing and producing the live-action musical feature, which Destination execs Steve Stabler, Brent Baum and Barry London are executive producing.
It also reps one of the first major buys by IFD, which launched this year under the direction of former Pathe exec Nick Hill.
Summer 2000 bow slated
Destination will distribute "Thomas," which is skedded to begin lensing in U.K. and North America this summer for a summer 2000 release. Allcroft's Gullane Pictures is arranging distribution in the rest of the world.
IFD is planning a major theatrical and media campaign for the pic in the U.K. In the U.S., Destination has already inked a promotional campaign with fast-food chain Subway.
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