Moviefone Editorial

Tag: animated-to-live-action

  • ‘FernGully’ to be remade in Live Action

    (Left) 'Nightbitch' director Marielle Heller. (Right) 1992's 'FernGully: The Last Rainforest'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (Left) ‘Nightbitch’ director Marielle Heller. (Right) 1992’s ‘FernGully: The Last Rainforest’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • Director Marielle Heller is developing a live-action ‘FernGully’.
    • It’ll be a remake of the 1992 animated movie.
    • Amazon MGM Studios is backing the project.

    1992’s Environmental-themed ‘FernGully’ wasn’t exactly a big hit upon its original release –– it made $32 million worldwide against a $24 million budget. But in the decades since, it has earned a place in at least some cinemagoers’ hearts.

    That’s surely what Amazon MGM Studios will be hoping for as it sets ‘Nightbitch’ filmmaker Marielle Heller to write and direct a live-action update.

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    And let’s not forget that the studio will also be aiming to replicate the success seen by the likes of Disney and DreamWorks Animation, which have seen several re-imaginings of their cartoon output do good business at the box office in the last few years.

    Related Article: Amy Adams Talks ‘Nightbitch’ and Developing the Project as a Producer

    What’s the story of ‘FernGully’?

    1992's 'FernGully: The Last Rainforest'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    1992’s ‘FernGully: The Last Rainforest’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    The original film followed the magical inhabitants of an Australian rainforest as they fight to save their home, which is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.

    It featured an all-star voice cast, including Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis, and songs from Elton John and Jimmy Buffett.

    A straight-to-video sequel, ‘FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue’, which largely ditched the celebrity voice talent, landed in 1998.

    We don’t yet know what elements Heller –– who has written and will direct the new film –– is retaining.

    When will the new ‘FernGully’ be in theaters?

    Amazon MGM Studios has yet to say anything about the movie’s potential release date (and we notice it wasn’t mentioned as part of the company’s CinemaCon presentation), so we’ll have to wait and see on that front.

    1992's 'FernGully: The Last Rainforest'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    1992’s ‘FernGully: The Last Rainforest’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    List of Marielle Heller Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy FernGully Movies on Amazon

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  • Jim Carrey Eyes Lead Role in Live-Action ‘Jetsons’ Movie

    (Left) Jim Carrey presents during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) 'The Jetsons'. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.
    (Left) Jim Carrey presents during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) ‘The Jetsons’. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.

    Preview:

    • Jim Carrey may take the lead in a new live-action ‘Jetsons’ movie.
    • Colin Trevorrow is in talks to co-write and direct.
    • Warner Bros. is backing the film.
    • Ready to meet George Jetson again?

    If Warner Bros. has its way, we all will be meeting him and his space-age family, as the studio is developing a new, live-action take on classic cartoon series ‘The Jetsons’. And, according to The Wrap, Jim Carrey might be snagging the lead role.

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    Colin Trevorrow, who directed two of the ‘Jurassic World’ movies, is also circling this one, already in talks to co-write a script with Joe Epstein.

    Related Article: Jim Carrey Will be Back as Dr. Robotnik for ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’

    What’s the story of ‘The Jetsons’?

    'The Jetsons'. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.
    ‘The Jetsons’. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.

    ‘The Jetsons’, a space-age take on the sort of family sitcom dynamics used by ‘The Flintstones,’ from Hanna-Barbera Productions focused on George Jetson, corporate suit dad, in future world of flying cars, high-rises and moving sidewalk escalators. He works for a cantankerous boss, Mr. Spacely. George’s wife is Jane, posh teenage daughter is Judy, and little son Elroy. Rosie the robot is confined to chores.

    We’re assuming Carrey would be George, but without a deal in place, we’re still just guessing.

    The original animated series was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and aired on ABC from September 23, 1962, to March 17, 1963. There was an animated series reboot that ran from 1985-1987.

    And, as many have likely forgotten, an animated movie was released by Warners in 1990. It didn’t really take off at the box office and ended up earning $20 million.

    So what will the tone of the new ‘Jetsons’ movie be?

    Jim Carrey as Gerald Robotnik in 'Sonic the Hedgehog 3' from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.
    Jim Carrey as Gerald Robotnik in ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc.

    It’s too early to say on this one, but Carrey’s casting certainly suggests leaning into the comic side of things, while Trevorrow’s interest could suggest has plans for a large-scale, family friendly adventure.

    Carrey, despite having said he’s largely retired from acting, has been coming back to be the villainous Ivo Robotnik in the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movies for Paramount (and, in the third installment, Gerald Robotnik).

    Warner Bros. will no doubt be hoping for success along the lines of that trilogy of films (with a fourth due in 2027), and the sort of box office back in the early 2000s by ‘Scooby Doo’ and its sequel.

    When will ‘The Jetsons’ be on screen?

    With no deals in place yet, Warners hasn’t set a date for this one. Got to try and keep that box office dominating run intact!

    'The Jetsons'. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.
    ‘The Jetsons’. Photo: Hanna-Barbera Productions.

    Movies Like ‘The Jetsons’:

    Buy Jim Carrey Movies and TV on Amazon

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