Twilight: 'How It Should Have Ended' Sees Starz

This is how Twilight should have ended (see above video first). But it didn’t, and we’re left with another chapter delaying the inevitable, leaving us scratching our heads at the thought of an actual long term romance between mortal Bella (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson).

The team behind the widely popular How It Should Have Ended series have released their latest animated alternate ending today. Also today comes news that it has inked a long term license and production deal with Starz Digital Media.

HISHE dates back to early 2005, explains co-creator and producer Tina Alexander. “We were watching Flight of the Phoenix and a group of us were talking about the ridiculous ending about how it should have gone,” said Alexander. From there the group, which includes co-creators Daniel Baxter and Tommy Watson, whipped up a number of comedic alt endings to blockbusters like Superman, Lord of the Rings and Transformers.

Starz came calling in the form of Marc DeBevoise, SVP of Digital Media, Business Development & Strategy, in fall of 2008. It would be almost a year until a deal was completed. “We wanted to help them take it to the next level,” said David Katz Starz’ Executive Director of Digital Media. “What we’re tying to do is expand the distribution,” he added noting that HISHE’s popular YouTube channel and newly revamped website will remain the primary hubs for the show.

HISHE will join Starz’ portfolio of popular animated web series, including 30-second Bunnies which has been an international breadwinner for the company. The bite-sized cartoon series has been sold in several countries—France, Italy and Germany—and dubbed in their native languages. The company also owns a network of online animation sites like AbeToons.com and Manga.com which may also factor into the distribution of HISHE.

Specifics of the deal weren’t disclosed, though the core team was able to quit their days jobs, they told us. Now the series plans to release new episodes monthly. For December, Alexander says it’s safe to say that Wizard of Oz will be in play. Alexander also hinted that they would love to tackle an ending to a popular TV series down the road. Later in the interview she mentioned the team’s love for ABC’s soon-to-be-ending LOST.

In terms of any legal pushback from the movie studios themselves, so far they say there haven’t been any problems. “We feel that fair-use for parody is where we stand,” said Katz. “I don’t reign these guys in at all.”