South Park Creators Launch Their Own Production Studio

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The creators of "South Park" are branching out beyond the underpants business.

Taking after the Gnomes on the animated series who ardently practice American capitalism, Trey Parker and Matt Stone have wooed investors and raised money to form their own production studio, which they plan to announce on Monday.

The new company is to be called Important Studios and hopes to be just that. With an estimated value of $300 million built on revenue from "South Park," now in its 16th season on Comedy Central, and the Broadway megahit "The Book of Mormon," the studio will have the power and money to approve television, movie and theater projects, including a big-screen version of "The Book of Mormon."