Kevin Lima to direct MONKEYS OF MUMBAI for DreamWorks Animation

Kevin Lima is set to direct Monkey's of Mumbai for DreamWorks Animation. Lima got his start directing Disney’s animated Tarzan before transitioning to the live-action hits 102 Dalmations and Enchanted.THR reports that Lima has signed onto the project and is assembling "a highly pedigreed creative team."

Lisa Stewart (Monsters vs. Aliens) and Chris Chase (Enchanted) have joined the project as producers. The project is the company’s first Bollywood-style animated musical adventure, is "a riff on the great Indian epic called the Ramayana, which centers around a man whose wife is kidnapped by a demon king." Lima will reportedly approach the story through the point of view of "two common monkeys who become unlikely heroes."

The script was written by Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges (Bride & Prejudice and Bend It Like Beckham). Stephen Schwartz who wrote Broadway’s Wicked, is working on lyrics and A.R. Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire) is composing the score. 

Here is what Lima had to say about the project:

“Ever since Enchanted, I’ve been looking for a film musical. When DreamWorks Animation approached me with the prospect of doing a Bollywood musical with such renowned collaborators, I knew this was the one.”

I enjoyed Enchanted and am excited to see the Bollywood and animated genres mix on this picture. The team assembled is a great one, so fans have a lot to be excited for. What are your thoughts on this news?