The Weinstein Company on Saturday set an August 14 release for “Underdogs,” the foosball comedy it hopes will be its biggest animated film ever.
Pop star Ariana Grande, Matthew Morrison of TV’s “Glee,” Katie Holmes and Bella Thorne will lend their voices to TWC’s English-language remake of Argentinian writer-director Juan Jose Campanella’s “The Secret in Their Eyes.”
The “Underdogs” soundtrack will feature three original songs written by British singer/songwriter and “X-Factor UK” judge Gary Barlow, who recorded the vocals for two of them. The third track was recorded by pop duo Kalin and Myles.
“Underdogs” was a hit at the Argentinian box office and won the Grand Prize Feature Award at the 2014 New York International Children’s Film Festival.
Nicholas Hoult, John Leguizamo, Eugenio Derbez (“Instructions Not Included”), Taran Killam, Bobby Moynihan and Chazz Palminteri will co-star.
“We’re excited to keep growing and expanding with ‘Underdogs’ being the biggest animated release in our company’s history,” said Harvey Weinstein, TWC’s co-chairman. “It’s a fantastic story that’ll hit and appeal to all four quadrants with its comedy, pop music and a wide range of talented actors. In the coming months we will be announcing more great musicians and incredible actors who will lend their voices.”
Specialty fare is TWC’s primary focus, so animated films are uncharted territory. Its biggest previous score with an animated film was 2013’s “Escape From Planet Earth,” which took in $75 million worldwide.