Blues Brothers Go Big

Dan Aykroyd and Judy Belushi’s new Blues Brothers Approved Ventures has recruited Eric Gardner, founder and chairman of Panacea Entertainment, to manage the Blues Brothers property on their behalf.

This follows August’s announcement that Aykroyd, Belushi and Gardner had partnered to develop and produce a primetime Blues Brothers television series.

“Thirty years after Jake passed through the veil, the Blues Brothers are being introduced to not one but two entirely new generations of music lovers,” Aykroyd said. “Judy and I welcome the experienced guiding hand of Eric Gardner who envisions ways of expanding our reach and impact which we never thought of.”

The Blues Brothers have longstanding partnerships in place with Universal Pictures and House of Blues, founded by Aykroyd, Belushi and Isaac Tigrett. There are also ventures in place with The Official Blues Brothers Review.

Aykroyd, Belushi and Gardner are expected to build an animated series, a Broadway musical, a Las Vegas residency for the Revue, licensing, endorsements, a branded radio network, book publishing, telephony and an accelerated web and social networking presence. Judy’s biography of John, “Belushi,” has been optioned by Todd Phillips, director of “The Hangover.”

“The Blues Brothers is one of the world’s most iconic brands,” Gardner said. “Like Coca-Cola and Nike, it speaks volumes that Jake and Elwood are instantaneously recognizable simply from a few illustrative brushstrokes: black fedoras, sunglasses, and skinny ties. I look forward to working with Danny and Judy to expand their brand across multiple platforms around the globe.”