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Brash scores $400 million

Upstart Hollywood-focused developer finds big-time funds for big-time adaptations; 300, Saw in the works.

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As reported in March, Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull was shoring up $150 million in financing for a new independent video game studio, Brash Entertainment. Specializing in games "that will be licensed with major movie, book, and music titles," the fledgling company reportedly had six projects on its slate.

It would appear those numbers were a bit off. Brash today announced that it has acquired $400 million in funding to bring to the interactive medium properties based on movies, television, and music. Funding for the developer comes by way of media-focused private investment firm Abry Partners. The recently formed studio reportedly has 12 projects in the pipe, with 40 licenses from five major film studios also in its portfolio. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group has signed as the company's worldwide distributor.

Shirking the Activision/THQ model of big-business film-to-video game tie-ins, Brash will be collaborating solely with independent studios. As Brash cofounder Mitch Davis puts it, this is so the company can be "laser focused on creating high-quality games...the other aspects of our business are left to the experts--best-of-breed partners we've tapped for their specific expertise."

There's been much speculation of a PC/console adaptation of 300, given that Tull's Legendary Pictures made the movie in the first place. In lieu of official word of the title's existence, Variety is citing sources that confirm 300 is in development. No other details on the game emerged, but Brash brass have stated that the company will be developing for all major consoles, handhelds, and mobile devices. However, Brash did note that development had begun on Lionsgate's gross-out horror flick Saw, as well as on upcoming children's animated films and "action-packed thrillers."

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