Walden Media has appointed 20th Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising as its worldwide licensing agent for its future films.

The deal will cover upcoming releases such as The Dark Is Rising, Nim's Island, City Of Ember, and The Tortoise & The Hippo.

The abovementioned titles will be distributed by Twentieth Century Fox and marketed by Fox Walden, the joint venture co-owned by Fox and Walden.

Walden Media films that have previously been set up at other studios, such as upcoming Chronicles Of Narnia films set up at Disney, will not be affected by this agreement.

Fox will also provide licensing and merchandising for films from Walden Media's sister company Bristol Bay Productions.

'We have had a positive and rewarding relationship working with Fox through the formation of our joint venture Fox Walden, so it was a logical next step for us to expand upon this productive alliance by partnering with their highly regarded licensing and merchandising team,' Anschutz Film Group chief executive officer David Weil said.

'We are energised to be joining forces with such a strong family entertainment brand as Walden Media,' Elie Dekel, executive vice president of Fox Licensing & Merchandising said.