``Max Steel'' to Show His Mettle as the First CGI Animated Hero to Join Kids' WB!; Present-Day Action-Packed Series To Debut in January 2000.

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Oct. 13, 1999--

Kids' WB! has ordered 13 episodes of "Max Steel," a new 3D CGI animated action-adventure half-hour series from Sony Pictures Family Entertainment (SPFE) set to debut in January 2000. This announcement was made today by Donna Friedman, Senior Vice President, Kids' WB!

"We are thrilled to introduce our first CGI animated series on the Kids' WB! schedule," said Friedman. "`Max Steel' will bring a great new look to the network as well as an exciting new adrenaline-driven concept. Viewers will accompany Max on his heroic around-the-world missions, and can also relate to him as an everyday teenager dealing with the typical challenges in life -- like balancing school, a new `job' and his girlfriend."

"`Max Steel' is the superhero for the new millennium," said Bob Higgins, Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs, Sony Pictures Family Entertainment. "We are confident that kids will thrill to the action, adventure and gripping storylines the series will deliver each week."

Set in the fictitious suburban city of Del Oro Bay, the series centers around Max Steel, a young international secret agent who was the product of a bio-technical accident where he was infused with nano-technology giving him bionic abilities. The teenage hi-tech hero is dedicated to protecting the Earth by fighting the most dangerous and sinister mercenary organization, DREAD, and its goal of world domination. Max, who may very well hold the fate of the world in his bionically enhanced hands, lives a double life. His friends know him as Josh McGrath, a typical college student, with a passion for extreme sports.

Josh's intense curiosity and sense of adventure leads him into the furtive world of his surrogate father's corporation, N-TEK, a super-secret international organization that appears on the surface to be an extreme sports conglomerate. During a struggle with an intruder, a vat full of a mysterious fluid shatters and spills on Josh, causing a powerful reaction. The interaction of the fluid with Josh's body allows him not only to survive, but to evolve. He gains increased physical strength and agility, and is able to power up to ten times that of normal humans, giving him the unique ability to camouflage his appearance so that he can blend in with any surroundings.

Josh takes advantage of his new abilities and becomes a secret agent with the covert identity of Max Steel. The series follows Max and Team Steel on adventures around the world to help prevent evil DREAD from taking over.

Created completely in CGI animation, the high-action series will have a unique look and distinct style. The "Max Steel" cast will include Christian Campbell as Max Steel; Jacob Vargas as Berto; Shannon Kenny as Rachel; Lauren Tom as Laura; Chi McBride as Jefferson Smith; Ed Asner as Chuck Marshak; and Keith Szarabajka as Mairot/Psycho.

The series is executive produced by Richard Raynis ("Men in Black," "Godzilla"). Jeff Kline ("Men in Black," "Godzilla," "Jumanji") serves as co-executive producer and Greg Weisman ("Gargoyles") is producer. The show is produced and animated by Sony Pictures Family Entertainment for Kids' WB!

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