THQ picks up new film license

THQ has secured the rights to develop and publish videogames based on Monster House, the forthcoming digitally-rendered live action feature film from Columbia Pictures.

Monster House is directed by newcomer Gil Kenan, with Stephen Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis executive producing. Set during Halloween, the film follows the adventures of three children who battle it out with a mysterious house which attempts to eat trick or treaters. It stars Kathleen Turner, Steve Buscemi, Catherine O'Hara and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Monster House will be the latest film to employ Performance Capture Animation, a new technique initially developed by Sony Pictures Imageworks. The movie will open in more than 100 cinemas in REAL D's digital 3D format, and a 2D release is scheduled for 21st July 2006 in the US.

THQ's worldwide agreement with Sony Picture Consumer Products covers videogames "for console and select handheld gaming systems," according to an official statement. The games, which will be released in conjunction with the film next summer, will allow gamers to play as the three main characters and explore locations from the movie.