Cosmos-Maya Brings Rudyard Kipling’s ‘Kim’ to the Screen

The studio teams up with Irish animation studio Piranha Bar to adapt and co-develop the classic novel into a feature-length animated film.

Animation studio Cosmos-Maya has teamed up with Irish animation studio Piranha Bar to adapt and co-develop Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel “Kim” into a feature-length animated film. Set in 1890’s India, the book is a Kung Fu odyssey about the eponymous original child spy and his exploits that are full of friendship, treachery, and adventure.

In the story, as external forces attempt to take control of colonial-era India, savvy street kid Kim becomes the apprentice of a Shaolin Monk and an unlikely spy for the British Empire in an epic voyage of self-discovery. The book boasts many colorful characters such as Colonial British soldiers, treacherous villains, and Maddy, another child spy. Full of Kung Fu action, it also embodies messages about peace and enlightenment.

Award-winning director Ketan Mehta (Sardar Patel, Mangal Pandey, Mirch Masala and Maya Memsaab) has signed on to helm the project. Mehta has co-written the screenplay alongside James V. Hart and Jake Hart (Steven Spielberg’s Hook, Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and Robert Zemeckis’ Contact.).

“We are thrilled to be involved with Cosmos Maya in bringing Kipling's final and most famous novel to the big screen,” commented Piranha Bar CEO Dave Burke. “Creating the world of Lahore, Kimball O'Hara and the full ensemble of diverse characters has been an incredibly ambitious and successful undertaking for our teams in Ireland and Mumbai. We now set our sights on bringing Kipling's visually striking and emotionally gripping story of Kim, the original child spy, to life.”

“[W]e couldn’t be more pleased to announce our animated feature film version of the legendary text from none other than Rudyard Kipling,” added Cosmos-Maya CEO Anish Mehta. “Adapting this timeless tale, much beloved around the globe, is a true honor. With our co-production partner Piranha Bar, talented director Ketan Mehta, and acclaimed writer James V. Hart, we’re confident this will excite audiences all over the world. We’re looking forward to bringing more partners on board for this brilliant IP, and it’s fantastic that we’ll be able to have these conversations in person at the upcoming festival.”

Source: Cosmos-Maya

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Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.