Cita:``ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS'' Comes to the Big Screen as Live-Action/CG Event Film; Squeaky-Voiced Trio to Make Film Debut for Fox 2000 Pictures and Fox Animation

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2004--Fox 2000 Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Bagdasarian Productions will produce a live-action / computer-generated event motion picture of "ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS," it was announced today by Chris Meledandri, President of Twentieth Century Fox Animation; Elizabeth Gabler, President of Fox 2000 Pictures; Ross Bagdasarian, Jr.; and Janice Karman.


Fox is currently looking for a top comedy writer and director, and expects to attract an A-list comic actor for the role of Dave Seville, the Chipmunks' "dad." Chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore will be computer generated.

Producers are Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., and Janice Karman.

Mr. Bagdasarian's father, the late Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., created Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1958. The squeaky-voiced trio and Dave Seville made recording, broadcasting and merchandising history, selling 43 million albums (winning several Grammys® in the process), starring in their own animated primetime series, numerous primetime specials, and number one network Saturday Morning shows seen in over 100 countries in 40 languages.

"I am thrilled to join Fox in turning `ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS' into an event `tentpole' picture," said Ross Bagdasarian, Jr. "ALVIN has three generations of fans, who can expect an exciting new experience in the big-screen version. The movie will merge the celebrated history and tradition of our beloved characters with a new comic sensibility and edge. This is an exciting time for The Chipmunks and this movie adds wonderfully to that excitement."

Janice Karman, president of Bagdasarian Production, added: "It's great to see the characters Ross' dad created almost 50 years ago continue to be presented in so many new ways. This movie is an exciting new adventure for the boys."

Commented Chris Meledandri and Elizabeth Gabler: "We are very excited to be working with Ross and Janice on the live-action feature debut of `ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS.' We have loved these characters since childhood and with today's advances in digital animation, the Chipmunks will be brought to life in a way never before possible."

Twentieth Century Fox is a unit of Fox Filmed Entertainment, a unit of Fox Entertainment Group.