Universal-based Illumination Entertainment will create a 3-D animated feature based on Flanimals, a children’s a foru volume book series written by Ricky Gervais and illustrated by Rob Steen.
Gervais will voice the lead character, and the script will be written by Matt Selman (The Simpsons).
The series takes place in a world inhabited by 50 species of creatures so ugly and misshapen they become cute and endearing.
In the film, Gervais’ character, a pudgy, perspiring purple creature, will go on a mission to change the world. “It will be great to play a short, fat, sweaty loser for a change,” Gervais said. “A real stretch.”
Illumination, formed to give Universal a presence in family and animated fare, is in production on Despicable Me, a film that Universal will release July 9, 2010. The film’s voice cast includes Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Danny McBride, Will Arnett, Kristen Wiig and Julie Andrews.
source: Variety
