Culture

The Lego Movie Sequel to be produced in Vancouver

By Felicity Stone /

THE#BCBIZDAILY
Plus, the next step on the path to LNG prosperity and fighting false imprisonment in China

Everything is awesome
Australia’s Animal Logic studios, whose productions include Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians and The Lego Movie, will open an animation studio in Vancouver this September. Its first animated feature in a three-picture deal with Warner Bros. Pictures will be The Lego Movie Sequel, starting production in Vancouver in January 2016 and expected to create 300 jobs.

Beginning of the end?
B.C. Premier Christy Clark says a new memorandum of understanding between the province and Pacific Northwest LNG “reflects the beginning of the company’s final decision path toward an investment decision.” The agreement in principle lays out steps to a project development agreement with the company, which is majority-owned by Petronas. Several hurdles remain: financing commitment from Pacific NorthWest LNG, completion of a Canadian environmental assessment and First Nations approval—the Lax Kw’alaams band recently declined consent for the project. (via the Globe and Mail and CBC)

Courting opinion
Recent decisions have smoothed the way for a lawsuit by B.C. hedge-fund analyst Kun Huang against Vancouver-based Silvercorp Metals over Huang’s imprisonment in China. The B.C. Supreme Court ruled that the case should be heard in B.C. instead of China, and the B.C. Securities Commission has dismissed fraud allegations connected to Huang’s work in China. Huang was imprisoned for allegedly harming Silvercorp’s business credibility by suggesting ore estimations were too high. Huang claims Silvercorp conspired with police in China to falsely imprison and defame him. Silvercorp has declined to comment on the case. (via the Province)