Japanese vidgame firm spins on 'Axis'

Mifed Brief

By VARIETY STAFF

StudioCanal has struck a deal with Japanese videogame giant Namco for co-development and worldwide distribution of the game based on the French company's upcoming animated movie "Axis." Deal was brokered by Gaga, the pic's Japanese distributor, in which Namco is a shareholder.

Game will be released on PlayStation2 early in 2002, simultaneous with the $27 million film's theatrical opening. Pic, an elaborate futuristic fantasy set in an extraterrestrial world of vast trees in which several different communities live, started production four months ago. It is a co-venture between StudioCanal, Chaman Prods. and Canada's TVA Intl.

According to StudioCanal senior VP of corporate development Daniel Marquet, the videogame deal marks the first time Namco has partnered with a European company.