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POKÉMON FRANCHISE EXPANDS TO THE BIG SCREEN
Warner Bros. Brings "Pokémon The Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back" To North American Audiences This Fall; Brand-New Pokémon Introduced Onscreen For First Time in Any Format

BURBANK, CA, June 24, 1999 - Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to distribute "Pokémon The Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back," the first animated Pokémon feature film, to a worldwide audience, excluding Asia. The big-screen version of the immensely popular franchise will be a Kids' WB! Presentation, and will open in theaters throughout North America on November 12, with distribution in the rest of the world to follow. The announcement was made today by Sanford E. Reisenbach, Warner Bros. Executive Vice President of Marketing and Planning.

"Pokémon The Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back" was produced in Japan by Shogakukan Productions Co., Ltd. When the film was released there last summer, it became the fourth-highest grossing film in Japan for 1998.

"Pokémon The Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back" is an epic adventure featuring the debut of new, bio-engineered "Super-Pokémon," whose powers rival those of the existing creatures, creating exciting new plot twists and turns. The new Pokémon appears in this film for the first time in any format; it cannot yet be seen on television or in any video game. For the upcoming release of the film, the producers are adding a new musical score.

"The Pokémon storyline combines a variety of appealing characters that not only entertains kids but reinforces teamwork and cooperation," stated Mr. Reisenbach. "The interest and fervor for Pokémon, by both boys and girls, is incredible. 'Pokémon The Movie' is family entertainment that everyone will enjoy."

The Pokémon phenomenon began in Japan as a game for Nintendo's Game Boy portable video game system before capturing the attention of America. Its huge popularity prompted the creation of a Pokémon television series, which became a tremendous success in Japan. The phenomenon spread to the United States, where Nintendo has now sold more than 2.8 million units of the game, topping industry sales charts.

The "Pokémon" TV show now airs in the U.S. in syndication and on Kids WB!, where it has emerged as the #1 kids' program. In addition to the video games and TV show, Pokémon continues to entertain millions of fans all over the world with a best-selling toy line, a hugely popular card game and a multitude of licensed products.

"'Pokémon the Movie' will bring these popular characters to an even wider group of viewers, who will learn for themselves what makes Pokémon red-hot," said Alfred Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, the company authorized by Nintendo to hold the rights to the movie, television series, home video and merchandising. "We are thrilled to be in business with Warner Bros. and Nintendo in both the television and motion-picture rollout of Pokémon."

Pokémon is set in a fantasy world populated by 151 different imaginary creatures called Pokémon, each possessing unique, special powers or abilities. In the Pokémon environment, human beings act as Pokémon trainers, capturing as many of the creatures as they can. The Pokémon then join the trainer's team and help capture other Pokémon, enabling their human companions to become "Pokémon Masters." In the feature film, Ash Ketchum, accompanied by his friends Misty, Brock and Pikachu (a favorite, electrically charged Pokémon), continues his quest to become the world's greatest Pokémon trainer. The challenge is greater than ever when Mewtwo, a bio-engineered Pokémon, creates a strain of Super-Pokémon and sets the stage for the ultimate Pokémon battle.

A 22-minute short subject, "Pikachu's Vacation," will precede the feature. In addition to Mewtwo, four brand-new Pokémon will appear in "Pikachu's Vacation."

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Page Updated Thu Feb 10, 2000 2:48pm EST