News

ULTRAMARINES PRODUCTION UPDATE: Space Marines to be animated with state-of-the-art facial capture technology

LONDON, JANUARY 26TH 2010

Latest news on Ultramarines, the forthcoming movie based on Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe, is that it is to employ state-of-the-art facial animation technology developed by a leading entertainment industry digital services provider to bring the Space Marines and their adversaries to life on the screen.

Image Metrics’ unique system captures and transforms all the nuances, subtleties and emotions of the facial performances of real life actors into 3D animation – a process praised by The New York Times as ‘technology that captures the soul’. As a result, actors are able to give expressive performances without any face markers, make-up or special equipment. The Image Metrics system then translates this data into animation curves that can be used in any of the leading 3D software programmes.

Grand Theft Auto IV, Assassin’s Creed® II, NBA 2K10, Black Eyed Peas’ video Boom Boom Pow and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are just some of Image Metrics' previous credits – see the video to get a flavour of their work.

Brian Waddle, who is executive vice president of Image Metrics, says ”While our technology has been used to animate faces in a number of live-action films, the Ultramarines movie is an exciting project for us, as it's one of the first ever animated features to use our system. We’re pleased to be a part of making the Space Marines a reality in a new medium."

Follow the progress of Ultramarines at www.ultramarinesthemovie.com

Codex Pictures
Games Workshop
Image Metrics

ULTRAMARINES movie concept design revealed

LONDON, DECEMBER 22ND 2009

Codex Pictures is giving a first sneak preview of one of the early concept designs for the forthcoming Warhammer 40,000 movie, ULTRAMARINES.

The artwork revealed is for the entrance to the Codex Chapel.

Bob Thompson, producer of ULTRAMARINES, says, ‘One of the many challenges in bringing the Warhammer 40k universe to the screen is to make a natural transition from table-top game to film reality. Our art and design team have used extensive source material from Games Workshop’s Forge World and publications to ensure every element of the movie is as authentic as possible’.

‘Before the animation team begins work, our next steps are recording the characters’ voices and producing the storyboards’, he added.

More concept designs will be revealed over the coming months at www.ultramarinesthemovie.com

CODEX PICTURES TO MAKE WARHAMMER 40,000 MOVIE

London, October 5th 2009

London-based production company Codex Pictures announced today that it is in production in the UK and Canada on Ultramarines, a feature-length movie on DVD/Blu-ray set in Games Workshop’s futuristic Warhammer 40,000 universe.

The sci-fi thriller, which is employing CGI and state-of-the-art animation production techniques, is being produced by Codex Pictures in association with Good Story Productions Ltd. The Canadian co-producer is POP6 Studios. The producers are Bob Thompson of Good Story Productions and David Kerney of Codex Pictures.

The film has been financed by Aramid Entertainment BV, POP6 Medias Inc and the Wales Creative IP Fund.

The team behind Ultramarines were producers of the original, highly successful and multi award-winning DVD BIONICLE®, made for the LEGO Company. “We are delighted to be working with Codex Pictures on the first ever feature-length DVD movie set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe,” says Andy Jones, Head of Legal and Licensing for Games Workshop. “The talented team at Codex has a wealth of experience and are very passionate about Warhammer 40,000. We are confident that Ultramarines will deliver a fantastic visual and narrative experience.”

"We are thrilled to have been chosen to produce a feature film based on such an iconic global property - much sought-after by many other studios and producers over the years," says Vanessa Chapman, MD of Codex Pictures and executive producer of Ultramarines.

"It's an important part of our company strategy going forward and marks the return of many members of the award-winning team behind BIONICLE®. Considerable time and research has gone into developing an authentic yet fresh approach to the design of the film. We hope it will be the first of many such projects."

Upon DVD release, there will be both a collector’s edition and international version. Follow the progress of the film at www.ultramarinesthemovie.com

Press enquiries: pressinfo@codexpictures.com

Further information:

www.aramidfund.com	www.codexpictures.com	www.financewales.co.uk
www.games-workshop.com	www.goodstoryproductions.com	www.pop6.net

Introducing Ultramarines – A Warhammer 40,000 Movie!

27 September 2009

For the first time, Games Workshop’s globally renowned Warhammer 40,000 universe is to be realised in a feature-length movie on DVD.

Ultramarines is a 70-minute sci-fi thriller that will use CGI and state-of-the-art animation production techniques. Games Workshop is delighted to be working with UK-based production company Codex Pictures, who have the momentous task of bringing the Warhammer 40,000 universe to the screen.

Commenting on the news, Erik Mogensen, Licensing and Acquired Rights Manager for Games Workshop, said, “Over the years, we have been approached again and again by all sorts of producers and film companies wanting to take our intellectual property to the screen. We have always believed that, in the right hands, the stories, themes and characters from the Warhammer 40,000 universe would lend themselves perfectly to the movie genre. We’re working closely with the talented team at Codex Pictures, who have an excellent understanding of the Warhammer 40,000 intellectual property and an inspired vision for the movie. We can’t wait to see our universe come to life on-screen.”

“We’re hugely honoured to be making Ultramarines,” said a spokesman for Codex Pictures. “It’s taken a lot of research and development to get to this stage – and it’s such an exciting challenge to be able to bring the depth and power of the Warhammer 40,000 universe to a brand new medium.”

News of the production of a movie was unveiled at UK Games Day, the biggest event in the Games Workshop calendar, on Sunday, September 27 2009.

Follow the progress of Ultramarines at www.ultramarinesthemovie.com