Weinsteins sign Red Riding Hood

Company also setting 'Sin' sequel

By IAN MOHR

'Sin City,' which is competing at Cannes, is slated for the sequel treatment.

Bob and Harvey Weinstein's temporarily dubbed WeinsteinCo. has picked up North American rights to "Hoodwinked! The True Story of Red Riding Hood," a feature length CGI animated comedy that the shingle will add to its growing slate.

Company also announced at a luncheon for international distribs yesterday that it will put into development a sequel to its current release "Sin City." That pic, by Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, is playing in Cannes as Dimension Films' first ever competish entry here.

"Hoodwinked!" is screening in the Cannes market.

The classic fable becomes a wild-and-crazy detective story in the family film, produced by newly created CGI animation house Kanbar Entertainment.

Kanbar Ent was launched three years ago by Maurice Kanbar -- the inventor behind SKYY Vodka -- and former Disney ani exec Sue Bea Montgomery.

Kanbar, Montgomery, David K. Lovegren and Preston Stutzman are producing "Hoodwinked!"

Pic follows a band of furry and feathered cops investigating a domestic disturbance at Granny's cottage. Characters created include a karate-kicking Red, a sarcastic Wolf, an oafish Woodsman and a thrill-seeking Granny.

Pic, the first to be released for the Kanbar banner, is penned and being helmed by Cory Edwards, Todd Edwards and Tony Leech.

Said Harvey Weinstein: "(This story) is a time-honored and whimsical feature that will captivate children's imaginations through its unique and eye-opening animation."

Earlier in the week, WeinsteinCo. revealed it had inked a deal to present the Rolling Stones at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 15.