U Pix Germany toons up feature

Hahn set to direct

BERLIN -- Universal Pictures Germany is on board to co-produce animated pic "Die Abrafaxe -- Jagd nach Eldorado," which will lense next summer.

Animation helmer Gerhard Hahn will direct the film, based on the hero figure Abrafaxe, introduced 25 years ago in the East German comic book "Mosaik."

Pic is described as a pirates' adventure that takes place in the Caribbean.

Universal Pictures Germany is planning to release the film locally toward the end of 2000.