Flanimals film reanimated
New deal for Gervais's creations
A new deal has been struck to bring Ricky Gervais's Flanimals children’s books to the big screen.Publishers Faber & Faber has signed an agreement with Illumination Films to make a computer-animated feature film based on the menagerie of bizarre creature.
Gervais first announced he was poised to make an $80million film of his creations in 2004, but little has been heard of the project since then.
Now Stephen Page, chief executive of Faber & Faber, said he was looking forward to the Flanimals making it to the big screen. The movie will be produced by Chris Meledandri, who was also behind The Simpsons Movie and Ice Age.
Gervais said: ‘I'm very excited about Flanimals The Movie because I'll probably be the part of Puddloflag. It will be weird to hear my voice coming out of a short, fat, purple, sweaty creature.’
The publisher has also announced that it has printed its millionth Flanimals books. Gervias has written four titles, which have been illustrated by Rob Steen.
In 2006, ITV announced it was making six half-hour animations based on Flanimals, but it’s not known if the movie deal will affect this.
Published: 4 Jan 2008
