Journey ropes 'Hank the Cowdog'

Journey Pictures has roped in "Hank the Cowdog," beginning pre-production round the feature animation project of a smart-alceck canine who heads security around the Texas ranch.Journey is selling worldwide rights within the American Film Market and expects to accomplish "Hank" inside the next season at some Texas-based facilities -- CAT Art galleries and ORG Art galleries.Journey acquired rights lately to "Hank the Cowdog" from Rising Star Art galleries good quantity of 58 mystery books and audios put together by rancher John R. Erickson. Journey Boss John Promote, another Texan, could persuade Erickson to produce the sale following a latter had spurned multiple offers over time.InchWe hit it well virtually, partly because we agreed that we'd keep the be employed in Texas and partly as they met my partner,In . Promote mentioned. "He began writing the books because they was on cattle drives inside the Texas Panhandle."Erickson began to create short tales in 1967 while working full-time just like a cowboy, farmhand, and ranch manager in Texas and Oklahoma, based on dogs Erickson labored with round the range. The "Hank the Cowdog" series has offered greater than 7.5 million copies."We've been approached by producers before, but Journey impressed us utilizing their understanding from the genre in addition to their solid advertising and marketing strategy," Erickson mentioned,Dallas-based Journey can be a 22-year-old company dedicated to co-financing and distribution features. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com