Brad Bird's 1906 to be Warner Bros/Pixar Co-Production

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#1

Brad Bird’s next film (live-action “1906”) will be a co-production between Warner Bros and Disney/Pixar.

Here’s the article from tomorrow’s Hollywood Reporter:
hollywoodreporter.com/hr/con … f5faa01b15

Brad Bird has signed on to make his live-action feature directorial debut with “1906,” a co-production between Warner Bros. and Disney/Pixar, with the historical San Francisco earthquake as its backdrop.

The story centers on a college student who begins to investigate the murder of his father, uncovering a web of deceit that has left the city vulnerable to the sort of fire that breaks out when the Great Earthquake of 1906 hits San Francisco.

Bird is rewriting the original John Logan script.

Paula Weinstein is producing the feature, while John Walker, Bird’s producing partner, executive produces. Disney/Pixar will co-finance the movie.

Courtenay Valenti is overseeing for Warners.

“1906” will mark a return for Bird to the studio that released his 1999 2-D-animated film “The Iron Giant.” The movie was critically acclaimed though failed to muster much muscle at the boxoffice, causing some to suggest that Warner Bros. had failed to market the film aggressively enough.

In the period since, animation – especially the 3-D CGI variety – has become big business, and Bird has become one of the biggest and most respected names in the medium.

Bird, who has picked up Oscars for his past two efforts, Pixar’s “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles,” has worked in live action before, helming an episode of “Amazing Stories” in 1987.

He is repped by attorney Jake Bloom.

End of Article

#2

Sounds good! I just hope this doesn’t ruin Pixar, so to be safe, it better not be pushing the PG rating. :confused:

GO…Brad? o_0

#3

I’m guessing Disney/Pixar is just funding it, but not involving itself too much. But the story sounds great. I can’t wait!!

#4

^Yeah, I got that same impression. PIXAR will only produce it (so Brad can keep his close relationship with them) but Warner will actual make the movie (most likely PG-13 and more intense than Disney*PIXAR is used to). From comments I’ve heard made by Brad, usually about intense scenes that he’s had to cut out of his movie, I have a feeling he’ll milk this disaster for all the drama/intensity its worth.

Just my opinion.

#5

I’m not worried. Brad is a consummate storyteller, as we’ve seen in his movies so far, and so while it may end up being a little more mature than his Pixar endeavors (something like this will probably end up being PG-13), I don’t think Pixar will be too dependent on its success. It’s a little like Andrew Adamson going from Shrek to Narnia… some of the material in Narnia is pretty dark compared to the goofy camp of Shrek, but he is still able to tell a story in a way that keeps the viewer engaged. Or look at Steven Spielberg. The man has produced great movies like Munich, Schindler’s List, and Saving Private Ryan - definitely grown-up material - but he was also responsible for TV shows like Animaniacs, Freakazoid!, and Tiny Toon Adventures. (He executive produced all three shows, but was listed as one of Freakazoid!'s creators.) 1906 will be as dark and mature as it needs to be to tell the story accurately.

I think the best course of action is to give the project our love and support - goodness knows Brad’s going to need it in his first foray into a new field - and see where things go from there.

#6

Boo earns! If it’s PG-13. I’ll be a happy little camper.

#7

Oh, I knew you would, it’s just that the youngest of their audience love Pixar films, and if Pixar is even mentioned in a PG-13 (or worse) film, they might not be so crazy about Pixar anymore.

But either way, I know I’ll still be a fan. :stuck_out_tongue:

#8

Bird has never made anything as wacky as that. He has always had a serious story behind all his animated endeavors. Just now it won’t be animated and may be a little more intense, thats all. Munich and Freakazoid is just way over-exaggerating this jump.

Also, Adamson did and wonderful job on the first to Shreks but not-so-good on Narnia (not a fan at all). Incidentally Shrek 3 without Adamson was awful. This probably won’t happen to Bird though (atleast I hope it won’t).

#9

Oh know! The Shock, the horror! Pixar is associated with a PG-13 film. They must all be terrible, terrible people.

If people are really that moved by such things, maybe they should take a chill pill.

#10

Yea, I’m sure Pixar’s youngest fans are keenly aware of such things as pg13, and brand loyalty. They’re much more savvy and even political at such a young age these days.

#11

If a little kid sees his favorite studio releasing a PG-13 film, I think they’d say “COOL!”
But, I don’t think it’s going to be branded Pixar, just sponsored by it, for example, you don’t call Mission: SPACE, Hewlett-Packard presents Mission Space do you?

#12

A better example would be Spielberg having Dreamworks attached to all his recent projects, whether the film is being made at Universal (Jurassic Park), Paramount (War of the Worlds), or Fox (Minority Report), he always has his company Dreamworks attached.

Like Bird will probably always have his new family, PIXAR, attached to all his live action projects, no matter what company he’s making the movie for.

#13

Skippy- Wow! I never realized that, that’s very loyal of Brad, I bet he’d amke the movie at Disney, but with their new policies, I don’t think it’d be possible to get his vision. It also shows he doesn’t hold grudges and is willing to give his former studio a chance.

#14

I’d think he’d rather work with the excellent team and environment he knows at Pixar than go into the ‘usual’ world of film making elsewhere.

#15

Totally. xD