Richard & Danny Elfman's First Film, Forbidden Zone, Enters the Licensing Dimension

    LOS ANGELES, CA, May 03, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- FORBIDDEN ZONE, the wildly popular cult movie, described as the Citizen Kane of Underground Cinema, has been developed into a licensed intellectual property by PANGEA, the development, licensing, and creative services agency. The comprehensive deal grants exclusive licensing representation rights to PANGEA and the ability to create new content for licensed product based on Forbidden Zone. Specialty and mass retail channels, as well as web commerce exploitation, will be pursued.

A growing renaissance surrounding the movie has ignited a cross section of enthusiasm from Baby Boomers to Millennials, who are discovering the eclectic and bizarre movie in a newly restored 5.1, colorized version. Producer/director Richard Elfman, founder of the performance troupe, Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, has toured the country, performing at Forbidden Zone screenings with a live musical and burlesque pre-show.

"It's following a similar trajectory of the Rocky Horror Picture Show," noted Elfman, older brother of Danny Elfman, Hollywood film composer and former lead singer of the band, Oingo Boingo. Danny Elfman wrote songs and scored the music for Forbidden Zone. A sequel, Forbidden Zone 2, is also in the works, featuring original music by Danny Elfman and other notable artists. Rocky Horror troupes have also begun shadow-casting to Forbidden Zone -- and Richard Elfman joins in on stage whenever possible.

"Imagine a funny version of Eraserhead, or a musical comedy of Dali & Bunuel's Un Chien Andalou, combined with a human Max Fleischer cartoon, and you can begin to appreciate what Forbidden Zone is all about," explained John Schulte, one of three directors at PANGEA.

"We're thrilled to work creatively with Richard and have already agreed to several exciting executions of content and product. Richard created the film over 30 years ago and has been extraordinary in supporting the property to this day. Demonstrating his passion for the movie and respect for its fans, Richard routinely appears in his underwear and clown shoes at his special theatre appearances. He's PARADED THROUGH HOLLYWOOD and in front of the Chinese Theatre with a troupe of followers in his wake, while dressed like a macabre clown, beating a marching band drum. Now that's dedication," Schulte stated.

Says Elfman, "I'm excited to work with PANGEA! We're having great fun creating the Forbidden Zone Storyboard Book. And I can't wait to comprehensively test the Forbidden Zone shot glasses with my favorite bourbon!"

Some of the most anticipated pieces will be a line of artisan sculpts of characters from Forbidden Zone. The first piece will be a cold cast collector's bust of Danny Elfman, who portrayed a Satanesque Cab Calloway in the film. The limited edition will be signed by Danny and Richard and will be available exclusively via online distribution, with orders also taken at midnight screenings around the country.

The first licensee will shortly produce shot glasses, tumblers, fleece throws, vinyl figures, and collectible wall plaques. "Forbidden Zone is rich with graphic and editorial content," remarked John Besmehn, one of three directors at Pangea. "The Storyboard Book of the original film is underway, featuring colorful commentary and anecdotal notes from director, Richard Elfman. We are also writing a fantasy novella series. Fans are going to go berserk for these gems," Besmehn announced.

Products are expected in Q416 and will be available at specialty retailers, the Internet, and at the live shadow-cast screenings and burlesque shows. Additional licensees will be added to the slate as the program progresses.

PANGEA is a creative development salon that specializes in writing, production, and publishing of intellectual properties in the confluence of the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries. www.PangeaCorp.com. John Schulte and John Besmehn are represented by Regina Brooks of the Serendipity Literary Agency, LLC.

Elfo Media Corporation is owner of the feature film, Forbidden Zone, and all the assets of the property and its sequel, Forbidden Zone 2. Producer/Director Richard Elfman is the firm's CEO and President.

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