From Comics to Movies - "Betty & Veronica"
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Miramax Films
New York - July 23, 2003
Miramax Films and Archie Comics Entertainment LLC are teaming up to co-produce a major live action theatrical motion picture based on the popular comic book icons "Betty & Veronica." The announcement was made by Miramax co-chairman Harvey Weinstein and Archie Comics Entertainment President Allan Grafman. "The demand for youth-oriented entertainment based on well-known character properties continues to soar in the feature marketplace," said Harvey Weinstein. "With more than six decades of unparalleled success in the teen marketplace, Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead and the rest of the original Riverdale characters have all the elements to become a highly successful film franchise."
"We are delighted to join forces with Miramax for the production of 'Betty & Veronica,'" said Allan Grafman, President of Archie Comics Entertainment. "Harvey Weinstein and his Miramax executive team demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm for the project along with an impressive understanding of the property's full potential across film, television, live stage and all other media."
CEO Chuck Grimes will oversee the production on behalf of Archie Comics Entertainment and Grafman will serve as an executive producer. Michael Silberkleit and Richard Goldwater will serve as associate producers.
Michelle Raimo, senior vice president of production and development, will oversee the production on behalf of Miramax, with Meryl Poster, co-president of production.
Charles Layton, executive vice president, office of the co-chairmen, and Timothy Schmidt, vice president of business and legal affairs, negotiated the agreement on behalf of Miramax. Grimes and Grafman negotiated on behalf of Archie Comics Entertainment.
The announcement of the motion picture based on the perennially popular teen duo "Betty & Veronica" comes only four months after Archie Comics Entertainment was co-founded as the entertainment and licensing arm of leading comic book publisher Archie Comic Publications, Inc. by Michael Silberkleit and Richard Goldwater along with Grimes and Grafman.
The Archie characters first appeared in an Archie comic book published in 1941. More than 60 years later, Betty, Veronica, Archie, Jughead and friends remain a staple of entertainment for readers the world over with timeless tales of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of teenagers. Role models to millions, Betty & Veronica, Archie and Jughead have come to represent the fads, fashions and attitudes of contemporary youth.
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