The PEANUTS Are Heading to the Big Screen
Charles M. Schulz's classic Peanuts comic strip series featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy will be be brought to life once again for the big screen! It will be an animated feature set to be developed by Twentieth Century Fox Animation and Blu Sky Studios, so I assume it will be CG animated.
The film is already set to be released on November 25th, 2015, which will mark the 65th anniversary of the debut of the Peanuts gang. It's also the 50th anniversary of the classic animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas.
According to the press release sent out, the screenplay has already been written and will be produced by Craig Schulz, son of Charles Schulz, along with his own son, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano. The movie will be directed by Steve Martino (Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, Ice Age: Continental Drift).
I grew up watching the Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts, and I love these characters. I'm excited to see how this movie turns out, hopefully they can adapt them for the big screen properly. What do you all think about the peanuts getting a feature film animated adaptation? How do you think the material should be handled?
More from the Press Release:
Charles Schulz drew the most popular and influential comic strip of all time, which was read everyday by 355 million people in 75 countries. In addition to the famous strip, Peanuts holiday television specials such as "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" have won Emmy's and continue to be among the highest rated prime time TV specials.
"This is a momentous step for the Peanuts brand. The beloved characters, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole gang resonate with multiple generations all over the world," commented Neil Cole, CEO, Iconix Brand Group. "This film will give us a new medium in which to engage consumers globally and showcase the power of the Peanuts brand, " added Cole.
Craig Schulz, President, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, commented, "We have been working on this project for years. We finally felt the time was right and the technology is where we need it to be to create this film. I am thrilled we will be partnering with Blue Sky/Fox to create a Peanuts movie that is true to the strip and will continue the legacy in honor of my father."
Vanessa Morrison, President, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, commented, "We are thrilled to partner with the Schulz family and Iconix and honored to bring the Peanuts characters to the big screen. This all started with our love and respect for the work of Charles Schulz. We thank the Schulz family and Iconix for letting Fox and Blue Sky bring his vision to new generations of film goers."