As an adult, I find that sitting down with a good children's fantasy novel every now and again can work wonders for my jangled, bill-paying, responsibility-ridden nerves. Don't get me wrong, I like a good political thriller or introspective horror as much as the next bibliophile, but there's something about waving a magic wand or slaying dragons that entertains the heck out of me on all fronts. Thankfully, children's fantasy is in no short supply these days when it comes to animated entertainment. If you haven't already, you should totally check out Guillermo del Toro's TROLLHUNTERS series on Netflix, it's got a real STRANGER THINGS meets MONSTER SQUAD vibe going for it.
However, in other animated fantasy-related news, it's being reported that directors David Pinmentel and Douglas Sweetland have been signed to helm the animated feature DARKMOUTH for Alcon Entertainment. With an adapted screenplay written by Lloyd Taylor, the film will be based on the HarperCollins Children's Books series of the same name penned by Irish author Shane Hegarty. The series focuses on an overzealous youngster who gets in over his head after prematurely jumping into the family business of hunting down monsters.
Simon Brooks of Canyon Creek Films, 8:38’s Kira Davis and Craig Peck, who produced the short film “CHALK” for Walt Disney Animation Studios before moving into feature animation, will produce along with Alcon toppers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson. Brooks and Davis gift wrapped the project and offered it to Alcon while Jeannette Hill-Yonis and Scott Parish brokered the deal for Alcon with Marianne Gunn O’Connor.
HarperCollins Children’s Books has published the first three installments of Hegarty’s series titled “Darkmouth: The Legends Begin,” “Worlds Explode,” and “Chaos Descends” in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and the US. The high-fantasy adventure joins a long line of entertainment aimed at young muggle-born witches, wizards and warriors who enjoy getting lost in worlds filled with magic, mischief and monsters among other magnificent and mystical phenomenon.
As of the moment there is no word as to when DARMOUTH will go into production, though its safe to say that, when it does, we'll be there to give you the good word. While you're waiting, be sure to watch Guillermo del Toro's TROLLHUNTERS series on Netflix today if you're looking to scratch your animated fantasy itch.
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