Locksmith Animation has now started work on its film based on childrenās books from Richard Curtis ā more here.
Richard Curtis has already cornered the Christmas market, with 2003ās
Love, Actually a firm festive favourite, along with special episodes of sitcoms
Blackadder and
The Vicar Of Dibley.
Now, though, Curtis is aiming his work at a family audience in what will be his first animated feature film credit. Adapted from his own childrenās book series, which includes
Snow Day, The Empty Stocking and
Thatās Christmas, the film will be the directorial debut of
How To Train Your Dragon animator Simon Otto.
Curtis and Peter Souter have penned the screenplay, which revolves around a series of stories in the run up to Christmas in a small English beach town. The deal to adapt the books was originally announced some time ago.
Locksmith Animation are partnering once again with DNEG Animation, following a successful collaboration on 2021ās
Ronās Gone Wrong. Adam Tandy, who also produced seminal sitcom
The Thick Of It, and Nicole P. Hearon will produce the film, whilst illustrator of the book series, Rebecca Cobb, will serve as one of the executive producers alongside Curtis, Souter,
How to Train Your Dragon producer Bonnie Arnold, Elisabeth Murdoch,, Colin Hopkins and
Arthur Christmas co-director Sarah Smith.
No release date has been confirmed as yet, but weād place a pretty safe bet on this one seeing the inside of cinemas around November in a few years time.
THR
ā
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