`Angry Birds` film slated to hit theatres in 2016

Los Angeles: Popular video game Angry Birds is getting an animated 3D movie due to be released in 2016.

The film is being developed, produced and financed by Rovio Entertainment and will be released worldwide by Sony Pictures on July 1, 2016, Sony Pictures said in an announcement. "Sony impressed us with their great attitude, determination, and professionalism. They convinced us that we have found the right partners and team to help us market and distribute our first motion picture," Rovio Entertainment CEO Mikael Hed said in a statement. The animated 3D film version will be made by the Sony Pictures Animation unit. "Every studio in town would love to add `Angry Birds` to their slate. There are few titles out there that bring this kind of excitement, brand awareness and built-in audience to the table," Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Amy Pascal, co-chairman of the unit, said. John Cohen and David Maisel ? producer of `Despicable Me` and executive producer of `Iron Man`, respectively ? are both on board for the new `Angry Birds` feature film. Cohen will serve as producer and Maisel is executive producer. "We are very excited to join with Sony Pictures in presenting this movie to the world in 2016 and we will have many more announcements as we begin production in the coming months," David Maisel and John Cohen said. PTI