DreamWorks Animation announced plans to bring the time-traveling adventures of MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN to the big screen. LION KING director Rob Minkoff will helm the CG feature.
Ive always loved MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN and am thrilled to direct them in their big screen debut, stated Minkoff, who developed the pitch for the film with longtime producing partner Jason Clark.
Produced by animation legend Jay Ward, MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN featured the worlds most intelligent dog, Mr. Peabody, and his pet boy, Sherman. The series of short segments premiered in 1959 as part of Wards classic ROCKY & BULLWINKLE series. In each of their 90+ adventures, the duo steps into Mr. Peabodys WABAC Machine to be transported back in time to a pivotal moment in history. There, Mr. Peabody would use his genius to literally save the day, while imparting always punny history lesson to Sherman.
Bullwinkle Studios Tiffany Ward (daughter of the late Jay Ward) and Classic Medias Eric Ellenbogen will exec produce the project. Producer Jason Clark (STUART LITTLE, MONSTER HOUSE) will oversee development with Minkoff. Andrew Kurtzman (DOWN PERISCOPE, CAMP NOWHERE) will write the screenplay. DreamWorks Animation exec Chris Kuser shepherded the deal.
In making the announcement, DreamWorks Animation head of creative development & production Bill Damaschke said, MR. PEABODY & SHERMAN has the kind of cross-generational appeal that is a cornerstone of DreamWorks Animation. Older fans remember and still delight at their adventures, while new generations of fans are discovering them on the Cartoon Network. Thanks to Mr. Peabodys WABAC Machine, the story possibilities are as endless as time itself and we are looking forward to exploring them for the big screen.
DreamWorks Animation ceo Jeffrey Katzenberg added, One of the most gratifying relationships in my 20-plus year career of making animated movies has been that of working with Rob Minkoff on THE LION KING. Ive waited more than a decade to have an opportunity to work with him again, so I could not be more excited to welcome him to DreamWorks Animation.
Tiffany Ward stated, DreamWorks Animation and director Rob Minkoff, are the perfect team to bring my dads beloved characters to the big screen.
Bullwinkle Studios is a joint venture between Classic Media, the New York-based family entertainment company, and Jay Ward Prods. Inc., producers of the series ROCKY & BULLWINKLE, GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE, TOM SLICK and SUPERCHICKEN, among others.
Classic Media manages some of the worlds most recognizable family properties, including CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST, MR. MAGOO, RICHIE RICH, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, THE LONE RANGER, LASSIE, UNDERDOG, LITTLE LULU, PAT THE BUNNY and LAMB CHOP. For more information, visit www.classicmedia.tv.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
