He may be smarter than the average bear, but can Yogi deliver the goods on the big screen? According to The Hollywood Reporter, Warner Bros. is developing a feature film based on the classic Hanna-Barbera animated series with Ash Branon, co-writer and co-director of Sony Animation’s Surf’s Up, slated to direct.
Like Warner’s Scooby-Doo movies and the recent 20th Century Fox hit Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Yogi pic will blend live action and CG-animation to continue the crafty bear’s ongoing efforts to elude Ranger Smith as he attempts to swipe picnic baskets in Jellystone Park. Both Yogi and his little pal, Boo Boo, will be computer-animated characters.
The script is being written by Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia, who served as exec producers on the long-running FOX sitcom That ’70s Show. They are writing the Dwayne Johnson vehicle Tooth Fairy for Fox, Donald De Line of De Line Pictures is producing with Karen Rosenfelt, and Jon Berg is overseeing production for Warner Bros.
Yogi made his debut in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show. He is often considered the first break-out character created by Hanna-Barbera Studios. In 1961 he landed his own show, The Yogi Bear Show, which also included Snagglepuss and Yakky Doodle. Yogi was voiced by legendary toon actor Daws Butler and Greg Burson in later years. A musical animated feature film, Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear! was produced in 1964.
Fans can still watch The Yogi Bear Show on Cartoon Network’s Boomerang, as well as other outlets around the world. Warner Home Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in 2005.
