The Blues Brothers are back in business — this time in the world of online gaming.
MX Digital, a U.S.-based developer and distributor of branded online-gambling games, has inked an exclusive partnership with Blues Brothers Approved Ventures for the use of the Blues Brothers brand, including the names and likenesses of Jake and Elwood Blues, for online gaming properties.
Dan Aykroyd, who played Elwood in the original Saturday Night Live sketches as well as in the two feature films, is on board for promotional support.
“We are really excited to add the Blues Brothers to our catalog of games,” MX Digital partner Eric Bischoff said. “As a fan, and having been a part of the television audience when the Blues Brothers made television, feature film and music history, we are very proud to be able to bring this brand to fans around the world in our game formats, and honored to be working with the legendary Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi,” the widow of John Belushi, who played Jake.
SNL spawned the singing duo, which was so popular they got their own film, 1980’s The Blues Brothers. Belushi died in 1982, and John Goodman was cast to star opposite Aykroyd in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, which hit theaters in 1998.
Meanwhile, MX Digital also announced five other new games for 2014 featuring James Dean, MGM’s Missing in Action starring Chuck Norris, boxing great “Smokin” Joe Frazier, former NBA star Dennis Rodman and the successful console game BloodRayne.
These will join MX Digital’s already released slate of games including ones with Hulk Hogan and David Hasselhoff.
MX Digital recently raised an additional $1.2 million in investment funding from Los Angeles-based Diamond Investments.
“The company is now uniquely positioned to expand its offerings through innovative games with great partnerships within the distribution side of our business model,” MX Digital CFO Ted Lanes said. “Adding a powerhouse brand like the Blues Brothers only further enhances our strategy, and adds to the success for our long term funding partners at Diamond Investments.”
Panacea Entertainment Chairman/CEO Eric Gardner represents the brand on behalf of Aykroyd and Judith Belushi.
“The Blues Brothers is an inextricable thread woven into the fabric of our global culture,” Gardner said. “What better iconic characters than those rapscallions with hearts of gold, Jake and Elwood Blues, to be emblazoned in the ether on digital slot machines, and what better partners could Judy and Danny ask for than industry leaders MX Digital.”
MX Digital is repped by CAA.
