Crood Awakening
     Aardman/Dreamworks

     A prehistoric comedy here from Aardman Animation. 'Crood Awakening'
     is set in and around the stoneage village of Crood, where the leader of
     the hunting party is threatened by the arrival of a newcomer with big ideas.
     This upstart brings with him such new-fangled ideas as the wheel, fire,
     and joke-telling...

     The film is being written by former Python, John Cleese together with Kirk
     DeMicco ('Racing Stripes' / 'Quest for Camelot'). Cleese was brought onboard
     at the behest of Jeffrey Katzenberg, to develop the screenplay from an idea by
     Aardman's Peter Lord and David Sproxton. It's suggested that the two tribes
     represented in the tale might be looked at as being a bit like the British and
     the French, with all the culture clashes between them that might entail!

     'Crood Awakening' is intended to be a CGI production, and work will begin
     hot on the heels of Flushed Away. The project was announced in May 2005
     at the Cannes Film Festival, as part of the ongoing Aardman/Dreamworks
     film pact. We can expect to meet the inhabitants of Crood
     sometime in 2008.

                                                                     More:  Aardman 

 


    Floating Islands
     Roger Dean

     Fantasy artist Roger Dean is set to bring us a $17m CG project, based
     upon the incredible album cover artwork he produced for prog rockers
     Yes, back in the 1970s.

     'Floating Islands' reveals a secret story connecting all of those incredible
     Yes covers. It tells of a boy called Loki, his search for a missing space
     ark, and his quest to rescue the pieces of a fragmenting world.

     The project was fanfared in February 2005. According to Roger's web site,
     $500K of developent money needs to be raised to take the film to the next
     level of production. And that's where we, the fans, come in to play. Roger
     has produced a series of highly desirable serigraph, digital and etched
     prints which folks can buy, with the proceeds going towards those costs.
     And if they sell and the cash comes in, then hopefully this one can
     move on to the second stage...

                                                                        More: Roger Dean

 


    Flushed Away
     Aardman / Dreamworks

     From the pen of veteran writers Dick Clement and Ian LeFrenais, 'Flushed Away'
     follows the adventures of Rodney, a pampered pet rat who accidentally gets flushed
     from his posh penthouse flat into the London sewer system. Here he falls in with
     a streetwise sewer rat called Rita. But he also has to avoid the evil machinations
     of the villainous Toad, and his hench-rat Spike...

     The film was first announced in July 2002. It's Aardman's first all-CGI affair,
     and in a bold move, they've opted to actually animate the film over in the States,
     in Glendale, where Dreamworks already have a deep pool of  CG talent from
     which to draw.

     Over the years the writing partnership of Clement LeFrenais have brought us the
     joys of 'Porridge', 'The Likely Lads', 'The Commitments', 'Vice Versa', 'Hannibal
     Brooks' and umpteen other  high-profile comedy series, shows, specials and films. 

     Hugh Jackman (Van Helsing) is the voice of Rodney.

     In August 2004, Sir Ian McKellen signed on to voice Toad, with Andy Serkis
     (Gollum) voicing Spike.

     In October 2004  Nicole Kidman was mooted as the voice of Rita. But Kate
     Winslet has now undertaken the role.

     In May 2005, whilst promoting the W&G movie in Cannes, the production
     team revealed the official 'Flushed Away' logo artwork, set against a suitably
     sewerfied background. They also presented a few tests shots of the characters.
     and Peter Lord divulged a little more info regarding Toad:

    "When he was a toadlet, he was Prince Charles’ pet
     until it was decided that a toad wasn’t a proper pet
     for a prince... So he was flushed down the toilet and
     replaced with a gerbil... which explains why he hates
     all rodents..."

      Purists need not fear. Although the film is animated with computer software,
      the characters sport the same buck toothed overbites as previous Aardman
      stars. The movie is will be released in November 2006.
   
                                                                         More:  Aardman 

 


    Gnomeo and Juliet
     Rocket Pictures / Disney

     From Elton John and David Furnish's Rocket Pictures, 'Gnomeo and Juliet' is a
     long-gestating CGI animated musical, taking William Shakespeare's 'Romeo and
     Juliet' as its starting point. The story follows the star-crossed exploits of two garden
     gnomes in and around an English county garden and its associated flora and
     fauna and features a supporting cast of plaster frogs, a Greek torso sculpture
     and a pink ornamental flamingo. Word has it the characters will be CGI integrated
     into live-action backgrounds...

     The project dates back to 2001 when it was then known as 'The Gnome's Story'.
     It was part of a raft of pictures in development under Rocket Pictures' high-profile
     deal with Disney. Animator/director Gary Trousdale ('Beauty & The Beast') was
     director on the project which was written by Rob Sprackling and John Smith
     (Mike Bassett: England Manager). Sir Elton himself was writing the score with
     fellow knight, lyricist Sir Tim Rice.

     In February 2003 Disney officially announced that this was a 'fast track' movie
     and within a few weeks reports surfaced in Hello! and People Magazine that Kate
     Winslett was providing the voice of Juliet, with Dame Judi Dench playing her Nurse.
     The film's producer Don Hahn was one of Disney's top production gurus. He
     previously shepherded the likes of 'Beauty & The Beast', 'Lion King', 'Hunchback
     of Notre Dame', and 'Atlantis' through to the big screen.

     But notice the past tense used above. That's because, in December 2003, the
     project was suddenly and dramatically put in to hiatus by the Disney Executives.
     Their concerns extended right back to May 2003, when Disney chief Michael
     Eisner told folks that he felt the movie was becoming a little too garish for his
     taste, with its pink flamingos and twee Olde English design. Between December
     and February of this year there have been rumours and counter-rumour emerging
     from the studios, with the current talk suggesting that the embers of this film
     have not yet burnt out.

     Oh Gnomeo, Gnomeo. Wherefore art thou?

                                                             More:  Jim Hill Media: Archives

 


    Jamie and the Magic Torch
     FremantleMedia

     Back in March 2002, rights-owners FreemantleMedia announced a casting
     call for the title role in a proposed live-action 'Jamie and the Magic Torch'
     advertising campaign and big screen adaptation. But nothing has thus
     far materialised...

     The series is, of course, a Cosgrove Hall animated classic from the 1970s.
     It was stuffed with nonsense and fabulous, eccentric fun. A live-action
     version is certainly achievable now, with modern film making techniques.
     But is there a big enough market for such a film...?
 
                                                             More:  The Hound: March 2002

 


    Joe 90
     Walt Disney Pictures

     A live-action feature version of this classic Supermarionation series is
     currently in development with Walt Disney/Buena Vista. Carlton TV sold
     the film rights to The Mouse House in May 2003. They've put the project
     in the hands of UK producer Susan Montford and Don Murphy of Angryfilms,
     whose outfit brought us the big screen version of 'The League Of Extraordinary
     Gentleman'. There's no word yet on casting, plotting or director, but folks are
     already suggesting this will be styled after 'Spy Kids'. Interesting to note
     that Gerry Anderson's name hasn't been mentioned either...

                                                             More:  The Hound: May 2003

 

    
    Judge Dredd: Dredd Reckoning / Possession
     Rebellion / Shoreline Entertainment

     Not one, but two Judge Dredd feature films are in development with
     2000ad's right-holders Rebellion. They aim to wipe the slate clean after
     Dredd's last Hollywood outing, which didn't really hit the spot with fans.
     Their two live-action helpings will be stripped down to basics with the
     low-priced $28m budget raised using the UK's Enterprise Investment
     Scheme (IES).

     In 'Dredd Reckoning' Judge Dredd loses confidence in his corrupt legal
     system and has to face the consequence of his own doubts. The
     second film, 'Possession' shows Dredd having to justify the right to life
     when Judge Death comes to town. Apparently, he plans to exterminate
     the population so that a supernatural world can be created.

     The two films were announced quite some time ago, and there's still no
     official news on the cast or crew. But IES funded films can take a
     frustratingly long time to come together...

                                                        More:  Rebellion   BBC News
     
 
 

    Mr Benn
    
    Talk continues to surface, every so often, about a proposed live-action
    film of Mr Benn. But thus far, nothing has reached our screens. Four or
    five years ago stories surfaced in the press regarding a version with
    Ben Kingsley as the Shopkeeper, and James Nesbitt as our
    bowler-hatted hero. But - as if by magic - the film never happened...

 
 

    Tortoise Vs Hare
     Aardman / Dreamworks

     Formerly known as 'Tortoise and the Hare', Aardman's twist on the old
     Aesop fable initially commenced production back in August 2000. The film
     was being directed by Richard Goleszowski of 'Rex the Runt' fame and
     written by Karey Kirkpatrick ('Chicken Run') and Jack Rosenthal. There were
     suggestions that film would be a kind of 'mockumentary' or fly-on-the-wall
     production following the characters through their past to the present, and
     their preparations  for the Big Race. The $40m production was scheduled
     for release in Summer 2003.

     The first slice of casting news informed us that Michael Caine had
     recorded the voice of the Hare. Over the next few months more reports
     surfaced, suggesting that he had been back in several times for re-recording
     after continued rewrites to the script. In spite of the rewrites, that Summer
     2003 deadline still looked achievable. Other voices were cast including
     Lee Evans as the Tortoise, Bob Hoskins as Welsh hamster called Taffy,
     and Brenda Blethyn and Orlando Jones in unspecified roles...

     But alas, just a few months later, in July 2001 Aardman wee forced to hold
     their hands up. There were ongoing problems with the production, problems
     which only a six-month hiatus could solve. As a result, 90 of the 170-strong
     crew were laid off, supposedly on a 'temporary' basis.
    
     To try and solve the script problems, the writing team of Rob Sprackling and
     John Smith ('Mike Bassett: England Manager', 'The Gnome's Story') were
     brought onboard. Meanwhile the first Wallace and Gromit feature was
     advanced to the head of the development queue, giving 'Tortoise' time
     to breathe. Indeed, a Christmas 2003 release was now mooted. But alas,
     again, things just didn't seem to work out. Come July 2002 it was apparent
     that the film's suspension was ongoing, in lieu of major problems with the
     production as a whole. A shame that, because the subject matter certainly
     seems to be perfect Aardman material. Think of the potential for competitive
     hijinks between the Hare and Tortoise. And of course, Aardman are more
     than comfortable animating tortoises.

     Still, even as late as October 2002, comedian Lee Evans was sharing his
     enthusiasm for the project with Michael Parkinson. Since then, Richard
     Gloeszowski has gone on to direct Aardman's new 'Creature Comforts'
     tv series.

     We are still promised a 'Tortoise Vs Hare' film, in time. But for now,
     'Wallace and Gromit', 'Flushed Away' and 'Crood Awakening' have
     leapfrogged this troubled project into production...

                                                                              More:  Aardman 
 
 

    
    Truckers/Diggers/Wings
     Dreamworks / PDI

     Terry Pratchett's best-selling trilogy of children's books, known collectively
     as The Bromeliad Trilogy, are due to get the all-star CGI treatment from
     Dreamworks/PDI. Stories focus on the exploits of a band of interstellar
     Nomes (not Gnomes) who take up residence in a town centre department
     store inhabited by other blinkered little people who need to be educated
     about the big wide world outside of the store...

     The book rights were snapped up back in Spring 2001 and immediately
     Andrew Adamson and Joe Stillman, the co-directors of 'Shrek', were attached
     to the project. But the production has since been nudged back behind
     'Shrek II'. The three Bromeliad works will be condensed into one movie.
     Word has it that Adamson and Stillman intend to animate the CGI little
     people in and around live-action backgrounds.

     Terry Pratchett is most famously known for his outstanding and ongoing
     series of Discworld novels.

     Dreamworks are shaping this one up for a 2005 release, putting it in direct
     competition with Disney's recently fast-tracked 'Gnomeo And Juliet'. Yep,
     that's right it's shaping into another head-to-head Dreamworks/Disney
     studio toon fight, like Antz/Bug's Life, Road To Eldorado/Emperor's New
     Groove, and Finding Nemo/Sharkslayer...
      
     'Truckers' has made it to our TV screens before, of course, in a splendidly
     realised stop-motion series from Cosgrove Hall.


 

    
    Water Warrior
     Silver Fox Films

   This ambitious film is being produced by Graham Ralph of Silver Fox Films.
    Graham's many animation credits include Spider, 'The Forgotten Toys',
    Angelmouse, The Second Star to the Left and The First Snow of Winter.
    The roject is being touted as 'Braveheart with frogs'. It's a CGI feature film
    focusing on the amphibious inhabitants of a small pond, and in particular,
    young Dudley the smallest frog in the pond. Here's the rest:

   "When aliens crash land in their pond, they enslave the
    pond creatures to help raise their spaceship and then plot
    to remove all the world's water!
        
    Dudley and a group of motley outcasts are the only ones
    left to thwart their master plan...'

    Graham's team will utilize a new digital system from Jim Henson's Creature
    Shop that enables performance-controlled animation. The British Film Council
    are backing the film too.

     .     

     Schedules and contracts permitting Jeremy Irons, Stephen Fry, Cathy Burke,
     and Geoffrey Palmer are just some of the voice talents being lined up for
     the production which has had a healthy period of development. 

     Initially this film was being tourted as 'Water Warriors' (it's even on that
     poster art above...), but in May 2005, whilst updating us about their
     current project status, the Silver Fox team revealed a slight title-tweak.
     'Warriors' was officially trimmed down to 'Warrior'. But whether solo
     or plural, the film looks like being a splendid mix of action, silliness,
     and very cute amphibians. And the whole pond environment-thing
     surely lends itself to some beautiful CGI scenery...

                                                                  More:  Silver Fox Films