Disney Interactive Studios today announced the company will publish The Sorcerer’s Apprentice video game, inspired by the upcoming feature film “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is scheduled to appear in North American retail outlets on July 13, 2010, exclusively for Nintendo DS™.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is an action-packed 3D arcade video game that casts players in the role of Dave, the powerful sorcerer’s apprentice, as he joins a mystical fight against the ultimate evil in a world filled with fantastical quests and magical combat.

In the game, evil sorcerers have escaped from their centuries old prison, the Grimhold, and taken over New York City. The legendary master sorcerer Balthazar is trapped in the magical realm, so it’s up to Dave to save New York. Guided by Balthazar, he travels throughout New York and the magical realm using special portals in order to defeat the enemy. Dave must master the elements of sorcery using magical attacks and spells to defeat the six evil sorcerers and their army of minions in order to free Manhattan.

“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice video game expands on the film experience by allowing fans to wield magic spells with their own hands,” said Craig Relyea, senior vice president of global marketing, Disney Interactive Studios. “The fast-paced action, magical spells and unique gameplay brings the adventure to life.”

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice video game will include competitive play with Pass the DS challenge modes for up to four players. The game will also include 30 achievements to unlock, as well as DGamer, Disney Interactive Studios’ innovative technology that provides a fun, connected game community for Disney video game fans.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is rated E for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) and will have a suggested retail price of $29.99. Press information can be found at http://bit.ly/byCOTZ .

About Disney Interactive Studios

Disney Interactive Studios, part of Disney Interactive Media Group, is the interactive entertainment affiliate of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS). Disney Interactive Studios self publishes and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games, mobile games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with other interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market. Disney Interactive Studios is based in Glendale, California, and has internal development studios around the world. For more information, log on to http://www.disneyinteractivestudios.com.

About “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” film

Walt Disney Studios, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Jon Turteltaub, the creators of the “National Treasure” franchise, present “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” -- an innovative and epic comedy adventure about a sorcerer and his hapless apprentice who are swept into the center of an ancient conflict between good and evil. Balthazar Blake (Nicolas Cage) is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath (Alfred Molina). Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler (Jay Baruchel), a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness. It'll take all the courage Dave can muster to survive his training, save the city and get the girl as he becomes “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” The screenplay is by Matt Lopez and Doug Miro & Carlo Bernard from a screen story by Matt Lopez and Larry Konner & Mark Rosenthal.

© Disney. Product names, release dates and features may be subject to change.

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