Paramount Animation kicked off the Annecy Festival with a bang, announcing five new feature film projects in development with top bill talent. Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation & Nickelodeon Animation, offered quick sketches of the new additions the studios’ robust slate, ahead of the work-in-progress preview of Transformers One at the festival.
The newly announced projects are:
Dropz — Described by Naito as “our E.T. about real kids in a super extraordinary situation” that is “infused with fashion. Attached are:
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- Executive producer: Bad Bunny
- Producers: Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum and David Koplan
- Director: Rob Letterman (Shark Tale, Monsters vs. Aliens, Detective Pikachu)
- Writers: Letterman and Ike Holter
Muttnik — A sci-fi comedy about a sweet natured puppy who has become a space bandit, and must return to the Earth family that abandoned him. Principals:
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- Producers: Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Zareh Nalbandian
- Writers: Mike LeSieur, Chris Yost and Michael McCullers
Once Upon a Motorcycle Dude — A modern “fairytale disruptor” about a rough and tumble princess who teams up with a post-apocalyptic biker to save her kingdom.
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- Producer: Karen Rosenfelt
Swan Lake — A modern retelling of the old German fairy tale turned iconic ballet.
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- Producer: Temple Hill
- Writer: Kourtney Kang
Yokai Samba — An original concept from former Disney Animation artist Leo Matsuda, the project was initially picked up by DreamWorks Animation and announced in 2018 and described as “inspired by a folktale coming-of-age story the director heard in his youth which has Brazilian and Japanese influences.” Naito calls the Paramount iteration “our The Last Starfighter and a destination movie to Brazil.”
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- Director: Leo Matsuda (Inner Workings short; story artist, Wreck-It Ralph)
- Writer: Mitch Watson (Big Nate)
- Producer: Stacey Lubliner
Paramount Animation’s development slate also includes the previously announced adaptations of Andrew McDonald and illustrator Ben Wood’s Real Pigeons Fight Crime and Yarrow Cheney and Carrie Cheney’s Superworld.
[Source: Variety]
