Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment have announced that TIGGER MOVIE director Jun Falkenstein along with actor Will Ferrell (OLD SCHOOL, the upcoming ELF) have signed on to their animated feature CURIOUS GEORGE. Ferrell will lend his voice to the troublesome monkeys owner, The Man in the Yellow Hat. The 2D feature is being produced by Academy Award-winners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard. The film is scheduled for release on November 4, 2005.
Mary Parent and Scott Stuber, presidents of production for Universal Pictures, said, "Having Will Ferrell on-board gives us a superstar voice that is uniquely appealing to both kids and adults."
Grazer and Howard said, "When we decided to bring CURIOUS GEORGE to the screen, we envisioned the role of The Man in the Yellow Hat as a wonderful showcase for a comedic actor, and we're thrilled that it is Will Ferrell who will be giving voice to this classic character."
Based on the classic childrens book created by Margaret and H.A. Rey, the film will follow George, an inquisitive primate transplanted from the jungle to the big city by The Man in the Yellow Hat. Michael McCullers (AUSTIN POWERS: THE SPY WHO SHAGGED ME, AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER and the upcoming THUNDERBIRDS), Daniel Gerson & Rob Baird (MONSTERS INC.) and Joe Stillman (SHREK and SHREK 2) have written the screenplay.
Universal Pictures is a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment (VUE) (www.universalstudios.com), the U.S.-based film, television and recreation entity of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
