Illumination Entertainment is developing a new feature film project about the troublemaker bird and is in talks with 'Blades of Glory' scribes to pen the script.
- Nov 17, 2011
AceShowbiz - "Woody Woodpecker" might be brought to the big screen for the first time in years. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Illumination Entertainment is developing a feature film project of the Universal Pictures classic cartoon.
"Blades of Glory" screenwriters, John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky, are in negotiations to pen the screenplay for the project. It is said that Illumination and the writers intent to create a modernized story of the troublemaker bird.
Co-created by cartoonist Walter Lantz, "Woody Woodpecker" first appeared in a short movie in 1940. The character was originally voiced by Mel Blanc, who also lent his voice for Looney Toon's Bugs Bunny.
The blue and red bird was initially described as a rambunctious and brash character. It became a huge hit during World War II-era in the U.S. However, the character was mellowed down during the '50s era. At that time, the studio even created a love interest and a recurring nemesis Ben Buzzard for the woodpecker.
Illumination's latest animated project "The Lorax" will open wide in U.S. theaters on July 27, 2012. The film adaptation of Dr. Seuss' child book has the likes of Zac Efron, Danny DeVito, Ed Helms and Taylor Swift in the voice cast ensemble.
