The Weinstein Co. has snatched up the rights to produce an animated version of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR, in which Jerry Lewis will provide the voice of at least two characters. Mainframe Ent. will produce and animate the project, which will be released direct-to-video by Genius Products Inc.
Lewis, who starred, wrote, directed and produced a series of films for Paramount in the 1960s, owns the rights to several, including 1963's THE NUTTY PROFESSOR. He licensed the rights to Universal for its 1996 remake starring Eddie Murphy and its 2000 sequel. Since then, the rights have reverted back to him.
The original NUTTY saw the nerdy professor Julius Kelp create a potion that transforms him into the handsome, suave, but obnoxious, Buddy Love. Evan Spiliotopoulos (TINKER BELL) will pen the animated project, which will center on Kelps modern-day, college-aged nerdy grandson who takes the same formula his grandfather created.
"I am very excited about working with Harvey and Bob," said Lewis.
"As a kid, Nutty Professor was my favorite comedy film. It's a real thrill for Mainframe to bring Jerry's comedic vision into CGI animation, said Rick Mischel, ceo, Mainframe Ent.
It was always Jerry Lewis vision to produce an animated version of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR and thanks to The Weinstein Co., Jerrys Lewis dreams are being realized, said producer George Paige.
Paige will produce with Lewis serving as exec producer alongside Mainframe's Gregory R. Little and Mischel.
Mainframe brought the project to Weinstein Co. vp production Eric Robinson, who will oversee it on behalf of the company, reporting to co-president of production Michael Cole.
Mainframe Ent. Inc. is the industry leader in computer generated (CG) animation for television and direct-to-video DVD family entertainment. For more information, visit www.mainframe.ca.
The Weinstein Co. was created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films Corp. in 1979. TWC is a multi-media company that officially launched on October 1, 2005. Dimension Films, the genre label that was founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, is also included under TWC banner. The Weinsteins are actively working on the production, development and acquisition of projects for TWC.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
