Paramount and Cirque du Soleil to Partner on "Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away," Written and Directed by Andrew Adamson, and Presented by James Cameron

HOLLYWOOD, California, January 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- Studio to Release the 3D Event Film, Worldwide in 2012

Paramount Pictures and Cirque du Soleil jointly announced today that the studio has acquired worldwide distribution rights to the Cirque du Soleil 3D feature film entitled "Cirque du Soleil Worlds Away." Written and directed by Andrew Adamson ("Shrek," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"), and executive produced by Academy Award ® winning filmmaker James Cameron, the 3D film event features artistic and acrobatic performances from some of the most elaborate Cirque du Soleil productions.  The film was produced by Adamson, Aron Warner, Cirque's Martin Bolduc and Ed Jones and Cary Granat. Vince Pace oversaw the 3D stereo production aspect of the film.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO)

A number of production companies collaborated to bring the film to life.  In addition to Cirque, Warner and Adamson's Strange Weather Productions, Reel FX and Cameron Pace Group all contributed to this groundbreaking production.

"The coupling of filmmaker James Cameron's groundbreaking 3D visual accomplishments and Andrew Adamson's beautiful direction, combined with a timeless original story written especially for this movie, will make for a truly amazing movie going experience for audiences of all ages," said Rob Moore, Vice Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

Said Jacques Methe, Executive Producer, General Manager, Images, Events, Lifestyle of Cirque du Soleil, "This 3D event brings the spectator beyond what they could see at a show, it takes them on the stage. This unique point of view allows the audience to discover the artistic details of our productions and reveal the human spirit that our artists bring to the audience in their performances. Jim and Andrew have masterfully captured what a Cirque du Soleil 3D experience could offer and Paramount will present it to the world."

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Cirque du Soleil

From the 20 or so performers the company featured when it all began in 1984, Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil has become a leading provider of quality entertainment with 5,000 employees, including more than 1,300 artists who hail from some 50 different countries.  Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to over 100 million spectators in nearly 300 cities on six continents.  

For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit http://www.cirquedusoleil.com.