I can’t be the newshound or the Dreamworks guy if I didn’t tell you about stuff like this. Normally, I’d link to my own article over at Toonzone. But since it has yet to be published I’ll just drop this here and edit in the link later. Edit: Here’s the link.
DreamWorks Animation Conjures Up Rumblewick
GLENDALE, Calif., March 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today announced that it will bring Rumblewick to the big screen. Director Tim Johnson (Over The Hedge, Antz) and writer Jim Herzfeld (Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents) are collaborating on the feature project, which is inspired by the children’s book, “My Unwilling Witch (The Rumblewick Letters)” by Hiawyn Oram and Sarah Warburton. DreamWorks Animation development executives Chris Kuser and Gregg Taylor are overseeing the project at the studio.
“The fascinating world of witches and witches’ familiars is perfectly suited for the medium of animation, where anything goes,” said DreamWorks Animation’s Chief Creative Officer, Bill Damaschke. “Combined with the magically creative and comedic sensibilities of Tim Johnson and Jim Herzfeld, we look forward to bringing the world of Rumblewick to life.”
“The odds are stacked against our main character, a hard-working rabbit. Telling the story of his struggle and triumph is a fantastic journey. I know audiences are going to fall in love with Rumblewick,” added Tim Johnson.
Rumblewick will follow the adventures of a magician’s rabbit for whom the invitation to learn real magic and train as a witch’s familiar seems like a dream come true! But the dream becomes a nightmare when he discovers he’s really a pawn in a game between rival witches. Having learned the hard way that when something seems too good to be true it probably is, he must outsmart them both to save his fuzzy little hide.
No word has been given yet as to when the movie may be released.
So it seems they’re heading more in the original and untapped IP direction than more sequels. I approve.
I do believe this may end up being the decade of Dreamworks.