LADYDRAGON.COM - Eidos Inks Deal to Create Video Game for Paramount Pictures’ Blockbuster Movie The Italian Job™

Wednesday May 21, 2003

Eidos Inks Deal to Create Video Game for Paramount Pictures’ Blockbuster Movie The Italian Job^™

Eidos Interactive, one of the world's leading publishers and developers of entertainment software, announces it has signed a deal with Viacom Consumer Products to produce a video game based on the forthcoming Paramount Pictures feature film, The Italian Job. The game is being developed by Climax and will be released for the video game consoles in summer 2003.

The Italian Job is about mastermind thief Charlie Croker (Mark Wahlberg), who pulls off an amazing gold bullion heist from a heavily guarded palazzo in Venice, Italy, only to be double-crossed by one of his crew, Steve (Edward Norton). Seeking revenge, Charlie recruits Stella (Charlize Theron), a beautiful nerves-of-steel safe cracker. Together with his former gang, Charlie and Stella follow the backstabber to California where they plan to re-steal the gold by manipulating traffic signals and creating havoc on the streets of Los Angeles.

A contemporary remake of Paramount’s 1969 classic by the same name, The Italian Job, due for release this summer, features state-of-the-art chase scenes on sidewalks and through subways in the new Mini Cooper. Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Negotiator), the film stars Mark Wahlberg, Edward Norton, Charlize Theron, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def and Donald Sutherland.

Mike McGarvey, ceo of Eidos says: "The Italian Job is a very strong property and has all the elements that will enable us to produce a great game. The film is widely anticipated to be one of this year's biggest movies. Eidos aims to benefit from the film's marketing and success by releasing the game around the theatrical window."

Pam Newton, vice president marketing and licensing, Viacom Consumer Products says: "Players will have a chance to relive the high-octane movie experience while playing The Italian Job game by Eidos Interactive. We are excited to be working with Eidos. Their commitment to quality and authenticity will generate a great product for fans of the film and gamers alike."

About Eidos Interactive

Eidos Interactive is one of the world’s leading publishers and developers of entertainment software. Eidos develops and publishes a diverse mix of titles for the PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube™ and the XboxÔ video game system from Microsoft. For more information on Eidos and its products visit http://www.eidos.com

About Climax

Climax was originally founded in 1988 by Karl Jeffery and has since grown to become one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies. As ever, it's aim is to deliver high quality game experiences in both its original and licensed products. Striving to keep at the cutting edge of technological development within the videogame industry, Climax employs over 300 people in four offices in Brighton, Solent, Nottingham and London. Climax is an active technology and content developer for the following platforms: PC, Sony Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo Gameboy Advance & Gamecube, Interactive TV, Online and Wireless.

About Viacom Consumer Products

Viacom Consumer Products merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Viacom Productions, and Spelling Television, as well as third-party properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group, is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. To learn more about Viacom Consumer Products and our properties, please visit us at www.viacomcp.com

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc., one of the world’s largest entertainment and media companies, and a leader in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment news, sports and music.