‘Household Pests,’ ‘Mean Margaret’ Movies Receive Backing
July 18, 2016 | Source: Variety | by: Dave McNary
United Media Capital has formed a joint venture fund with Pigmental Studios and United Independents Group to co-finance a slate of animated and live action films, Variety has learned exclusively.
The first two films will be animated titles “Household Pests” and “Mean Margaret.” Sergio Pablos, the co-creator of “Despicable Me,” is producing “Household Pests” with Marina Martins of Pigmental Studios, Dennis Lorrig, Robert Rodriguez, George Malasek and John Cole.
“Household Pests,” based on an original idea from Pablos, follows an imaginative boy who battles monsters under his bed every night, while his mother refuses to believe that they exist. An undercover monster exterminator helps the boy save his town.
“Mean Margaret” is based on the children’s book of the same name. That film is being produced by Jay Ahn and Chris Henderson (“Return to Neverland”) with Chuck Williams (“Brother Bear”) managing for new studio Astro-Nomical Entertainment.
“Mean Margaret” is based on the children’s book by Tor Seidler. Margaret is a cranky human toddler from a family of nine who is chucked out of her home by her beleaguered parents until two woodchucks, Phoebe and Fred, take Margaret in as their own.
Leading the financing team for the initial two productions will be United Media Capital managing partners John Cole and George Malasek. The deal was brokered between Marina Martins of Pigmental/United Independents Group and United Media Capital.
IM Global will handle international sales for “Household Pests.”
