James Ponsoldt Heads To The WILD CITY, Will Direct Original Script For Disney

Here's some great news for the people who basically copy and paste their sentiment about Hollywood being out of original ideas into every site's comment section: Disney is actually developing a live-action/CG hybrid that's a completely original idea not based on any of its existing intellectual property. It's called Wild City, and THR reports that the idea comes from James Ponsoldt, the guy behind solid indie movies like The Spectacular Now, Smashed, and The End of The Tour (he also directed some of Aziz Ansari's excellent Netflix show Master of None).

Not much is known about the movie, but we do know that the story "explores the adventures of Los Angeles' wild animals" and is a fully original concept originated by Ponsoldt, who will write, produce, and direct this film for the studio. I'm getting a Zootopia/Homeward Bound kind of vibe from that description, but Ponsoldt is a talented filmmaker who's made some really good movies, so it continues the trend of Disney looking to exciting and somewhat unexpected talent for their projects (see also: the Pete's Dragon remake being directed by Ain't Them Bodies Saints director David Lowery, and A Wrinkle in Time by Ava DuVernay).

Before we see Wild City, though, Ponsoldt has The Circle coming to theaters, a tech thriller with Tom Hanks, Emma Watson, and John Boyega. That one should be out later this year.