Prime Universe Productions, Inc. was established in 2004 by Adrian Askarieh with a vision to develop and produce high concept feature films based on established video game and comic book properties, while keeping an eye out for fresh, original material with appeal to key audience demographics—i.e. the next big franchise.

Adrian received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University at Long Beach in 1993 and passed the California bar exam in his very first try after graduating from law school in 1997. Prior to forming Prime Universe, Adrian served as an Associate Attorney at Kleinberg & Lerner, LLP, a Los Angeles based law firm specializing in the area of intellectual property rights that represents personalities and companies involved in the entertainment and multimedia industries. Adrian has represented clients ranging from Sketchers Shoes, top 10 video game companies and independent record labels to top five comic book companies.

Garnering a reputation as a producer with a keen eye for exciting, potential blockbuster properties, Adrian was instrumental in setting up Eidos Interactive’s multi-million selling video game HITMAN at 20th Century Fox for adaptation as an event holiday release. Opening Thanksgiving weekend 2007, Hitman starred Timothy Olyphant (LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD, JUSTIFIED) as the enigmatic “Agent 47” and went on to gross $100 million dollars worldwide on a production budget of $26 million. Hitman has scored an additional $81 million in DVD sales and a sequel is now in development at Fox with Adrian returning as a Producer.

On the heals of the Hitman movie, and a full year before the game’s initial release, Adrian set up (and is producing) Eidos’s multi-million action game franchise KANE & LYNCH. The feature adaptation is set to go into production in early 2011 with Bruce Willis (ARMAGEDDON, THE SIXTH SENSE) starring as “Kane,” and Academy Award-winning actor Jamie Fox (RAY) starring as “Lynch.’ The film is being financed by Avi Lerner’s Nu Image/Millennium Films (THE EXPENDABLES) and is being released in North America by Lionsgate.

Adrian is also spearheading the adapation of two other high profile video game franchises into major feature films. As of the time of this release, Prime Universe is in negotiations with a studio financier for the rights to the legendary video game franchise, DEUS EX. DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, the third incarnation of the popular game, is expected to be one of the biggest games of 2011.

Earlier in 2010, Adrian, with CAA’s help, obtained, though Eric Eisner’s L+E Pictures, independent development funding for JUST CAUSE, the bestselling action/adventure video game franchise from the publisher of Hitman. As with Kane & Lynch, Adrian optioned the rights for Just Cause months before the game was released, relying on his instincts that the game would be a big hit. He was proven right when JUST CAUSE 2 entered the charts in March of 2010 at #1 and sold 2 million copies and counting. Adrian is implementing the model utilized in the making of the first Hitman movie to produce a cost-effective Just Cause feature—one that yields high financial rewards for his company and that of his prospective financiers. Michael Ross (TOURISTAS) has been hired to write the screenplay.

Keeping a foot solidly planted in the ever-expanding arena of comic-to-film adaptations, Prime Universe is prepping the best selling HACK/SLASH Image comic book series for Rogue Pictures/Relativity Media with acclaimed commercial director Fredrik Bond helming the picture. The Hack/Slash movie is heading for a early 2011 production start.

In March of 2010, Adrian sold his original story concept, LEONARDO DA VINCI AND THE SOLDIERS OF FOREVER, to Warner Brothers. The tale envisions the famous artist and thinker as an Indiana Jones-like adventurer who battles supernatural threats from the Bible. Marc Guggenheim (GREEN LANTERN) is writing the script and Warner Brothers is eyeing the project as a major tent-pole release.

Previously, Adrian also sold Warner Bros. on the live-action adaptation of the classic Hanna Barbera cartoon JONNY QUEST. “Quest” is one of the most beloved entertainment properties in the world with two animated series representing millions in sales on DVD, comic books, toys, and more.

Scott is a Creative Executive at Prime Universe where he is Associate Producing JUST CAUSE and is working on projects such as LEONARDO DA VINCI & THE SOLDIERS OF FOREVER and DEUS EX.

Scott's "mad man" background is in advertising; he has served as a Creative Director, originating and supervising ad campaigns for national and international accounts. His client list includes: Walmart, Sam's Club, American Red Cross, 7th and Fig, Citadel Outlets, Hallmark Cards and Prudential. He has won numerous Addy Awards and a SoCal AMA Award of Excellence for an innovative series of TV spots for The Village at Corte Madera.

Recently, Scott segued from copywriter to comic book writer, creating the hit indie comic book series, KILLER STUNTS, INC., which made it's debut at the San Diego Comic-Con and brought his talents to the attention of Adrian.

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