Arc, Vanguard Team on Nut House Toon

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Arc Prods.

Vanguard Animation is partnering with Arc Prods. on its CG 3D animated heist film, "The Nut House" with production to start in January. Ross Venokur making his directorial debut from his own script with John Rice also directing.

SC Films International is handling worldwide sales efforts at the upcoming American Film Market.

The story begins when mega-conglomerate Nut House Nuts harvests the forest for its own commercial gain and ex-con squirrel plans the heist of the century -- breaking into the high-security packaging plant to reclaim the nuts with the aid of his trusty, right-hand porcupine and an elite team of scrappy forest dwellers.

Film will be produced by John Williams and "Kung Fu Panda" director John Stevenson. Williams producing credits include the first two "Shrek" films, "Valiant," "Space Chimps" and the upcoming "On the Road," directed by Walter Salles. Geneva Wasserman, longtime licensing exec in feature animation, is also an executive producer and will mount a worldwide licensing and merchandising program for "The Nut House."