Ubisoft scores game rights to two Sony movies

Today, Ubisoft announced an agreement with Sony Pictures Animation to publish and develop games based on two of Sony's upcoming films, Open Season and Surf's Up. The games will be released in conjunction with their celluloid counterparts in September 2006 and the summer of 2007, respectively. Both titles will be developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studios, the team behind Prince of Persia: Warrior Within.

Open Season features the voice talent of comedian Martin Lawrence as Boog, a docile grizzly bear, and That '70s Show star Ashton Kutcher as Elliot, a plucky mule deer. The two are relocated into the wild, days before hunting season begins. The critters must work with other forest animals to reverse the roles of hunter and hunted to make the forest a safe haven for all its inhabitants.

Surf's Up is a farcical look at the sport of surfing, crediting its origin to penguins in "mockumentary" fashion. The film is currently in production and is being directed by Ash Brannan, codirector of Toy Story 2.

We'll have more on both titles as details surface.