Sony, Capcom team on 'Biohazard'

Duo to produce 'Resident Evil' cartoon

By MARK SCHILLING

Sony Pictures Japan and Capcom will team to produce a feature toon based on 'Resident Evil.'

Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and game maker Capcom will jointly produce feature toon "Biohazard: Degeneration," based on the "Resident Evil" films and games, the partners said Monday.

The "Resident Evil" franchise is known as the "Biohazard" series in Japan.

Skedded for release in the latter half of 2008, the toon, like the other "Resident Evil" pics, is based on a hit horror game that Shinji Mikami created and Capcom developed for the Sony PlayStation.

Since its debut in 1996, the game and its series successors have sold 33 million units worldwide.

The toon will be 3-D CG and based on an original story; the helmer and other cast and crew are yet to be announced.

The live-action pic series, starring Milla Jovovich, has generated three entries, the latest being "Resident Evil: Extinction," which has earned $50 million at the U.S. box office and $100 million worldwide since its Sept. 21 release.