Industrial
Light + Magic will provide the special visual effects and animation
for PETER PAN, the first live-action version of J.M. Barrie's
enduring classic about the boy who doesn't want to grow up. The film
is a joint production of Universal Pictures, Columbia Pictures and
Revolution Studios, with P.J. Hogan (MY BEST FRIEND'S WEDDING)
enlisted to direct. Principal photography will begin in fall 2002 in
Queensland, Australia. Hogan and writer Michael Goldenberg (CONTACT)
have adapted Barrie's original story, and the film will be produced
by Lucy Fisher and Douglas Wick (GLADIATOR, STUART LITTLE), with
Patrick McCormack. Scott Farrar (Oscar winner for COCOON, Academy
Award nominee for A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE and BACKDRAFT) will
serve as visual effects supervisor. "The evolution of digital and
special effects technology has finally caught up with J.M. Barrie's
wondrous imagination," said Amy Pascal, chairman of Columbia
Pictures. "We have been developing PETER PAN for five years and we
are delighted that this extraordinary film can finally fly with a
dream team of resources and talent marshaled by Columbia Pictures,
Revolution Studios and Universal Pictures." PETER PAN is scheduled to
be in theaters December 2003.