Young males focus of Hollywood radar

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. film studios are focusing their film-making efforts on projects that may appeal to the young male demographic, industry officials say.

Universal Pictures chairmen Marc Shmuger and David Linde, whose studio is helping make a film version of the kids' game "Battleship," said the new Hollywood trend is to make films based on popular brands that could become franchises, Variety reported Friday.

"In an era where brands have become the new stars, (pics like) 'Battleship' have become big opportunities," the studio pair said in a statement.

An unidentified Warner Bros. executive agreed that films like "Transformers" and "Iron Man" appeal to young male viewers and draw in large profits.

"You're going to see more of the same, not because studios have run out of ideas but because it makes money," the executive told Variety. "Males like this stuff and they spend a lot of money on it."

Among the films being developed that are aimed at the lucrative demographic include "Hot Wheels" at Warner Bros., "View-Master" at DreamWorks and Paramount's "Max Steel."