IndyCar teams with DreamWorks on ‘Turbo’
DreamWorks Animation's "Turbo" is the story of an ordinary garden snail with an impossible dream: to win the Indy 500. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo sets out to try to make his impossible dream come true.
"The Indianapolis 500 is a one-of-a-kind live event that has fascinated people of all ages for many, many years and Turbo is a character whose biggest ambition is to add his name to its list of international champions," commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. "DreamWorks Animation's alliance with the INDYCAR team represents an authentic tie-in between a real-life race and an imagined adventure that is certain to culminate in a thrilling ride for the whole family next summer."
"Today is a very exciting day for us, as we announce our collaboration with the DreamWorks Animation team on 'Turbo,'" said Randy Bernard, CEO of INDYCAR. "We're very honored to work with Jeffrey, his team and the incredible star power of the cast to bring the Indy 500 to the world in such a unique and engaging format. We believe new and existing fans of all ages will be captivated by the animated depiction of Indianapolis Motor Speedway as well as the wonderful characters that inhabit the universe of DreamWorks Animation's Turbo. "
"For more than 100 years, the dream of competing in the Indianapolis 500 has attracted some of the greatest drivers to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway," added Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and CEO. "Legendary names like Mario Andretti, Jim Clark, A.J. Foyt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Helio Castroneves and Dario Franchitti all have been fast and fortunate enough to win it. We are excited to work with DreamWorks Animation's creators, staff and cast and look forward to seeing Turbo himself race at Indianapolis in 2013!"
In addition to DreamWorks Animation, INDYCAR's entertainment division is tapping into the home entertainment and sports video arenas by forming alliances with Circle King Networks, Inc., known for their work with the Full Throttle Video series and El Jefe Entertainment (producers of Jesse James video content), as well as CineSport Video Network.
Circle King Networks will reach millions of motorsports fans through traditional and non-traditional home video outlets, including at mass retail in automotive and convenience stores, and on digital formats. CineSport will produce and syndicate original, exclusive highlight videos and programming to more than 100 premium local/national media web sites.
INDYCAR Entertainment has also secured driver appearances as well as network and cable television programming segments, such as Graham Rahal's recent appearance on CBS's "Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials," which also showcased the 2012 Indy car, and Michael Andretti starring as a member of this season's "Celebrity Apprentice," "Nerve Center" for Discovery Networks Canada, "How It's Made" for Discovery, "Pawn Stars" on the History Channel and "Day Jobs" on GAC. IndyCar Press Release
03/12/12 IndyCar, the governing body of the Indianapolis 500, is teaming with DreamWorks for the studio's 2013 toon pic "Turbo."
In the film, directed by David Soren and co-starring voice-actors Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson and Maya Rudolph, a garden snail has ambitions to win the Indy 500. When a freak accident gives him extraordinary speed, Turbo the snail sets out to try to make his impossible dream come true.
Collaboration marks an inroad for IndyCar's entertainment division, which is looking to expand its reach in Hollywood. While already in business with Circle King Networks, who handles homevideo distribution, and others, IndyCar has sent its drivers to various programs lately to create exposure for the sport. Highest profile might be Michael Andretti on NBC's reality skein "Celebrity Apprentice."
DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg first approached IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard in 2010 to see how the two might join forces, and from that meeting the inclusion of the Indy 500 into the "Turbo" script was born.
Said Bernard: "We believe new and existing fans of all ages will be captivated by the animated depiction of Indianapolis Motor Speedway as well as the characters that inhabit the universe of 'Turbo.'"