Hollywood Hears A "Who"

December 12, 2005 12:51 PM | Comments:

Horton Who According to Variety, Twentieth Century Fox's animation division, Blue Sky Studios, has tapped Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino to direct its CGI-animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic "Horton Hears a Who."

Previously, Blue Sky announced that the film would have a 2007 release. However, reports are now saying that the film will be released in 2008. Blue Sky Studios also produced "Ice Age" and "Robots."

In "Horton Hears a Who," Horton the Elephant one day hears a small speck of dust talking to him. It turns out the speck of dust is actually a tiny planet, home to a city called "Who-ville." The Whos ask Horton to protect them, often at the expense of his own safety when the other animals in the jungle ridicule him for believing in something so small and unseen. (Yes, the Whos are also used in The Grinch story, except there everyone can see them.)

The film's script has been written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, who previously teamed up for such classic films as "The Santa Clause 2" and "Bubble Boy."

Audrey Geisel, Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel's widow, sold Fox the rights to both the "Hornton Hears a Who" and "Hornton Hatches the Egg" tales. She will serve as executive producer and will have certain "creative approvals" over the film in order to "preserve and respect" the message that the good Doctor created in his books.

While Geisel's "Cat in the Hat" and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" became live-action vehicles for Mike Myers and Jim Carrey, this film will be the first 3-D/CGI adaptation of a Seuss story.

Chris Meledandri, President of Fox Animation, thinks that this type of animated format is the best forum for the Seuss tales - one that makes a star of the richly imagined visuals.

"We always felt that there were inescapable limits on how successfully live-action filmmaking could translate Geisel's vision to film," Meledandri said. "With CG imagery and the amazing talents of the artists at Blue Sky, we have the opportunity to truly transport an audience into the enchanted world of Seuss and, for 80 minutes, make then believe that it really exists."

Fox and Blue Sky's next film, "Ice Age 2: The Meltdown," is scheduled for release on March 31. -- Shannon Nolley

\n $\"Horton$ According to Variety, Twentieth Century Fox's animation division, Blue Sky Studios, has tapped Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino to direct its CGI-animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic \"Horton Hears a Who.\"\n\nPreviously, Blue Sky announced that the film would have a 2007 release. However, reports are now saying that the film will be released in 2008. Blue Sky Studios also produced \"Ice Age\" and \"Robots.\"\n\nIn \"Horton Hears a Who,\" Horton the Elephant one day hears a small speck of dust talking to him. It turns out the speck of dust is actually a tiny planet, home to a city called \"Who-ville.\" The Whos ask Horton to protect them, often at the expense of his own safety when the other animals in the jungle ridicule him for believing in something so small and unseen. (Yes, the Whos are also used in The Grinch story, except there everyone can see them.)\n\nThe film's script has been written by Ken Daurio and Cinco Paul, who previously teamed up for such classic films as \"The Santa Clause 2\" and \"Bubble Boy.\"\n\nAudrey Geisel, Theodor (Dr. Seuss) Geisel's widow, sold Fox the rights to both the \"Hornton Hears a Who\" and \"Hornton Hatches the Egg\" tales. She will serve as executive producer and will have certain \"creative approvals\" over the film in order to \"preserve and respect\" the message that the good Doctor created in his books.\n\nWhile Geisel's \"Cat in the Hat\" and \"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!\" became live-action vehicles for Mike Myers and Jim Carrey, this film will be the first 3-D/CGI adaptation of a Seuss story.\n\nChris Meledandri, President of Fox Animation, thinks that this type of animated format is the best forum for the Seuss tales - one that makes a star of the richly imagined visuals.\n\n\"We always felt that there were inescapable limits on how successfully live-action filmmaking could translate Geisel's vision to film,\" Meledandri said. \"With CG imagery and the amazing talents of the artists at Blue Sky, we have the opportunity to truly transport an audience into the enchanted world of Seuss and, for 80 minutes, make then believe that it really exists.\"\n\nFox and Blue Sky's next film, \"Ice Age 2: The Meltdown,\" is scheduled for release on March 31. -- Shannon Nolley

Hollywood Hears A "Who"

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