Boop-Oop-A-Doop! Simon Cowell Bringing BETTY BOOP Back To Cinemas

Betty Boop, international animation icon and leading lady, together with Animal Logic Entertainment and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment today announced their plan to develop and produce Betty Boop’s first feature-length film.

Partnering with Fleischer Studios, Animal Logic and Syco Entertainment will produce a music-driven hybrid animated comedy featuring universally adored screen starlet Betty Boop.

Queen of the animation world, Betty Boop is one of the most loved and sought-after animated characters of the past and present centuries with accolades spanning film and television, fashion and music. Having first hit screens in 1930 with numerous appearances in Max Fleischer’s Talkartoons and her own “Betty Boop” cartoon series, her popularity has continued to grow through the decades.

Betty’s last movie appearance was a cameo in the blockbuster movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988). Her millions of fans spanning generations have made her one of the most recognizable characters in the world and are eagerly awaiting her return to the silver screen.

The film, which will be produced by Zareh Nalbandian and Jason Lust from Animal Logic and Simon Cowell and Adam Milano from Syco, promises to be an exciting addition to the Animal Logic and Syco Entertainment growing development slate with broad audience appeal.

Of today’s announcement, Betty Boop said, “I’m so excited to return to the big screen – and I only work with the best! Let’s have some fun, Simon. Boop-Oop-a-Doop!”

Simon Cowell said, “Betty is an icon, and one of the biggest stars in the world – I’m thrilled to be working with her. Betty, I’ve worked with some serious divas but I think you could be the biggest of them all!”

Zareh Nalbandian, Animal Logic’s CEO said, “I’m thrilled that Animal Logic is part of this exciting new collaboration with Betty. She’s an amazing, iconic and loved character, and we’re going to have so much fun producing her 21st century big screen debut.”

“I am delighted to partner with Syco Entertainment and Animal Logic,” said Mark Fleischer, Chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios. “Their energy, creativity and playfulness make them a perfect fit for Betty Boop.”

Jason Lust from Animal Logic said, “I’ve been trying to get Betty to the dance for years now. Can’t believe she’s finally said ‘Yes.'”

Adam Milano, Syco’s Head of Film said “Betty is the original funny girl and to be able to create a music-driven comedy with her at the center is an amazing opportunity.”

First introduced in 1930, Betty Boop was created by Max Fleischer for his “Talkartoons” series, the first “talkies” of animation, which Max’s company, Fleischer Studios, produced for Paramount. Mae Questel provided Betty’s distinctive voice. By 1932 Betty, considered to be the first and only female animated screen star, had taken the country by storm. Betty starred in more than 100 cartoons, 90 of which are included in the official “Betty Boop” series, which ended in 1939. Since then, Betty has appeared in dozens of hit movies, television specials and commercials. She was the first cartoon character to be profiled by A&E’s “Biography” series.

As the worldwide exclusive licensing agent for Betty Boop, King Features works closely with Fleischer Studios to keep Betty entertaining millions of fans and collectors worldwide. Betty Boop’s popularity today shines through her prevalence in pop culture. She is one of the most popular and successful licensed characters in entertainment history, with nearly 200 licensees in the United States and nearly twice as many internationally that produce quality products bearing Betty’s likeness in virtually every category.

The official Betty Boop Web site is www.bettyboop.com