Dogbone Entertainment, founded by Dave Bautista, is setting its sights on the Cat Assassin project.
Dave Bautista, known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Dune, through his company, is collaborating with Titan1Studios in Canada to transform Steve Lerner’s Cat Assassin into a comprehensive franchise. This collaboration aims to extend across different platforms including animated series, video games, and publishing.
Steve Lerner, the creative force behind the successful video game Stray, which garnered an estimated $200 million in sales, and the Xbox One Pass game Twelve Minutes featuring voices of James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe, will see his work published by Annapurna Interactive. Bautista will contribute creatively to the development of the franchise via his company, Dogbone.
The narrative of Cat Assassin unfolds in a gritty, noir-inspired world populated by anthropomorphic cats. It follows Hugh, a master assassin entangled in the conflicts among various cartels and power brokers in a corrupt, menacing city. The producers describe the project as a perfect mix of humor, action, and stealth.
Titan1Studios is progressing on a stealth action video game inspired by Cat Assassin, drawing gameplay elements from Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, and integrating the cat-like agility seen in Stray along with the dynamic combat style of Sifu. The game’s atmosphere is intended to lay the groundwork for a broader universe that will be developed subsequently.
More information regarding the animated series, feature films, publishing collaborators, and additional video game titles will be announced in the upcoming months.
Established in 2022, Dogbone is a full-service producer of TV and film content. It recently completed projects on Prime Video’s Eternal City and Lionsgate’s The Killer’s Game, and is currently involved in the Amazon feature Wrecking Crew. Titan1Studios, with its roots in Calgary and Toronto, is working on an animated series based on the Zomben comic series in collaboration with Rideback Entertainment, known for The Last Airbender, and a drama series Sandcastle with Lionsgate Canada.
“Working with Titan1Studios on Cat Assassin has been an enjoyable experience,” Bautista commented. “Their expertise in crafting animated worlds is remarkable, and they’ve managed to create a truly distinct universe for this game that I am eager to introduce to gamers.”
Rathan Moorthy, President & CEO of Titan1Studios, expressed excitement about the partnership with Dave Bautista and Dogbone Entertainment. “Dave’s transition from a celebrated WWE superstar to a well-regarded Hollywood actor speaks volumes about his dedication and talent. We are excited to have him on board this franchise. This collaboration, coupled with Steve Lerner’s exceptional storytelling, underscores the vast potential of the Cat Assassin universe,” Moorthy added.
Steve Lerner, also enthusiastic, remarked, “It’s a dream come true to bring the Cat Assassin universe to life in various formats, from games to comics and television.”
Lerner is represented by Buchwald and managed by Brillstein.
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