Harry Potter and Mrs Doubtfire director Chris Columbus has joined forces with Haim Saban (CEO of Saban Capital Group and founder of Saban Brands), Michael Barnathan (Academy Award nominated producer) and Jeremy Zag (founder of ZAG Entertainment LLC) to launch ZAG Animation Studios.

The new studio is set to develop and produce one 3D and one CGI-live action picture per year from 2017, with the first being CGI Melody. Columbus said 'After all of these years, it's fantastic to start a new venture that brings together talented artists from around the world under Jeremy's excellent leadership and Haim's brilliant international business experience'.