While it was already announced that 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky would be animating a 3D version of Charles Schulz‘s classic comic strip PEANUTS for the big screen, there didn’t seem to be much hope that it was going to be any good. Now we have the news that the studio has enlisted director and writer Paul Feig to produce the film and oversee it from a creative standpoint.
Feig is best known as the director of BRIDESMAIDS and THE HEAT. Prior to that he was the creator of the short-lived series FREAKS AND GEEKS. While his subject matter may skew a little older, Feig definitely has worked with similar subject matter on FREAKS AND GEEKS as well as the right tone with his directing work on PARKS AND RECREATION, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, and THE OFFICE.
Feig had this to say about working on the PEANUTS movie:
“Growing up, Peanuts was my Star Wars,” Feig said. “Charles Schulz’s characters influenced everything in my career, especially Freaks And Geeks. I’m thrilled I finally get to be pals with Charlie Brown and Snoopy.”
Charles Schulz‘s son Craig added the following:
“As we continue on our creative journey to bring my father’s characters to life, collaborating with a talent like Paul is a great step forward. Knowing how Peanuts, especially Charlie Brown’s never-give-up-attitude has influenced him throughout his life, makes this partnership even more meaningful.”
PEANUTS has always been a staple in my home. When Halloween rolls around we pop in the Great Pumpkin special and around Christmas the Vince Guaraldi score is always in heavy rotation. Some may say it is sacrilege to put Charlie Brown and the gang into CGI and 3D, but I am hoping that Feig and director Steve Martino will be faithful to the source material.
PEANUTS is slated to open on November 6, 2015.
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