Will Smith to Produce Animated Film Adaptation of the Fantasy Graphic Novel CANTO
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios have picked up the rights to the fantasy graphic novel Canto, and they are looking to adapt it into an animated feature film.
The co-creator and writer of Canto, David M. Booher is set to write the screenplay and he will executive produce the project alongside co-creator and series illustrator Drew Zucker. The story is inspired by The Wizard of Oz and Dante’s Inferno.
In the story, Canto and his fellow tin-people have been enslaved in the land of Arcana for generations, “their hearts replaced with clocks. Though love is forbidden, that hasn’t stopped Canto from falling in love with a Tin Girl. When the slavers damage the tin girl’s clock beyond repair, Canto leaves Arcana to go on a quest and find his people’s missing hearts. Along the way, Canto befriends a fierce Malorex, finds a Hermit who lives in a mechanical squid, and works with a mysterious warrior named Aulaura who helps him infiltrate the City of Dis. At the Emerald Tower, Canto confronts the wizard behind it all, the Shrouded Man, and learns the fate of his true love’s heart.”
Producer Jon Mone said in a statement, “David and Drew have created a world full of adventure, determination and hope. It reminds us of the importance of love and to fight for those we care about and we are so thrilled to work with them to share the magic of this inspiring little hero on the big screen.”
Booher added, “It’s rare to find a partner like Westbrook who shares our values, both creatively and personally. Like us, Jon and Ryan see Canto as a story about hope, and I’m thrilled to work with them to bring it to the screen.”
Zucker adds, “We couldn’t be more excited to have Westbrook as partners in sending Canto onto his next adventure.”
The six-issue fantasy series was published by IDW Publishing with the first issue released in June 2019. I’m not familiar with the graphic novel, but it sounds like it tells an awesome story that I’d enjoy.
Source: Deadline