Curious George 2D Animation's Last Chance?

The on-again, off-again CURIOUS GEORGE feature is currently in
production for Universal Pictures and Imagine Ent., having settled on
a 2D look after abandoning CG plans with Industrial Light & Magic
because of the great expense and "creepy" look, VARIETY reports.

Shooting for a November 2005 release, CURIOUS GEORGE (with Will
Ferrell signed to voice the Man in the Yellow Hat) represents the
only animated feature on the horizon at a major studio utilizing a
traditional aesthetic, which means it is being closely watched by an
industry currently obsessed with CG for any signs of a 2D commercial
breakthrough. With a moderate budget of around $40 million, and with
60% of its animation outsourced around the world, Universal has a
staff of 75 (include exiles from Disney and DreamWorks) working
14-hour days on character animation.

The fun-loving but mischievous monkey (symbolizing the boundless
curiosity of children) has become a literary icon for kids since the
first book by H.A. and Margret Rey was published in 1941. A series of
seven books and more adventures have sold more than 25 million
copies. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard of Imagine have been laboring to
produce an animated version for years, obtaining rights from John
Shapiro and David Kirschner, who are still attached as producers.

Grazer and Howard naturally reject the notion that 2D is dead, and
are tapping into a topical "retro vibe." Plus the traditional
approach is thought of as the best way to approach the mostly
watercolor look of the books. Universal, which has numerous animated
features in development, hasn't produced one since BALTO in 1995.
However, the studio has enjoyed phenomenal success with the LAND
BEFORE TIME franchise on DVD and video. In fact, Universal is
spinning off an animated CURIOUS GEORGE children's show for PBS
affiliate WGBH spearheaded by Louis Feola, president of Universal
Worldwide Home Ent.

Jun Falkenstein (THE TIGGER MOVIE) directs from a script by Karey
Kirkpatrick (CHICKEN RUN), Joe Stillman (both SHREKS), Michael
McCullers (the AUSTIN POWERS sequels) and Daniel Gerson and Rob Baird
(MONSTERS, INC.).

Animation World Network