The film, set to project on November 25, 2015, is being directed by Ice Age: Continental Drift helmer Steve Martino. Schulz's son, Craig, and grandson, Bryan, are co-writing the script with unknown screenwriter Cornelius Uliano, and producing.
There's no word on story or title, but in all likelihood it will be computer animated, not traditional. It would also make sense for the filmmakers to treat this like a franchise reboot, with emphasis on (re)introducing the characters to new audiences.
The announcement has been met with anticipation, doubts, and derision. ("Hollywood to Ruin 'Peanuts' Next" ran the headline on The Atlantic Wire.) Not surprising, considering that Peanuts is the biggest comic strip of all time, with some of the most popular characters.
You could say I'm indifferent, because I'm not a fan of Peanuts. (Dilbert is another story.) Not in an averse sort of way, mind you; I've just been ignorant of the franchise since my teenage years. Come to think about it, I might be the audience they're trying to reach.
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I'm no fan of Peanuts either but Blue Sky was once capable of great things. Once, no more. The Ice Age series has proved repeatedly they need better writing talent there or at the very least some new concept so on that basis, I expect pretty average things.
Still, this will be another "ruined forever" thing, you know how people are.
NOOO!
Seriously, this isn't something you can do right with computer animation.
I don't mean to pre-judge, but personally, I think Bill Watterson had the right idea.
I have no interest in seeing this. Peanuts is near and dear to me, and I can't imagine this being anything but depressingly bad. They already made four theatrical Peanuts films all written by Charles Schulz and they were wonderful. We don't need this. I mean, CG Snoopy? Really?! AAUUUUGHH, and good grief!
So I am a huge Peanuts fan* (own all 20 some fantagraphics books that they have printed so far.. The gentle, friendly, yet realistically mean spiritedness of the comics are amazingly cool, but I digress). This is a scary yet, interesting announcment. Having members of the Shultz family working on the project (not just trusting someone else...) could keep it in the right spirit. I mean, with 50 years of strips to use as the basis for stories, with some added depth they could be far better than almost any of the original stories (Christmas and Halloween Specials not withstanding...) Or it could be an utter mess.
The fact is, making movies with existing characters, that are still in character, seems like a great idea. Remaking classics updated to be harsher, meaner, etc just for a buck is too often the problem... Let's hope they get it right.
Charles, I agree 100%. When a writer runs out of material he wants to do, he should quit. If he still has something to say, he should never quit. Shultz' work through the years was uneven at times, but it always had a heart that made it real to a lot of us. Art (even cartoon movies) should not be made for the money, but for the love of the medium. (But money has been the driving force behind a lot of art, and everyone needs to make a living!)
Im scared... If Pixar was doing this, there would be hope, but the people that brought us Rio (which I did NOT like) no, just... No. What do you think about their chance of succes with peanuts fans mike? I know some people will just hate whatever they end up doung, but I'm open minded. I just dont want them to "F" it up. Pleae god, please, let it be good. That and tthe woody woodpecker movie, thats all I ask.
GOOD GRIEF!!!!!! ...and i'm done.
As ttarkA113 said, a CG Snoopy or Charlie Brown is a reeeaaally bad idea. It's a shame the owners of the franchise (whoever that may be) sold something as priceless as Peanuts.
I'm trying to stay positive and open minded. I haven't seen the short film "Paperman" yet but I wonder if the techniques used in that project might be beneficial in the Peanuts film to retain some of that hand drawn feel. Just an idea. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I'm a huge fan of 'Peanuts'. This may sound like an overstatement, and it may be, but in my opinion this is the worst movie news of at least 2012. It's basically hearing "We're going to ruin your childhood for money."
You have great taste. I also don't care for Peanuts but LOVE Dilbert!
I think that if they had a good story, and if it was done with traditional animation, it might not be that bad...Remember the Peanuts specials? Yeah...
It should be animated in "2D" Flash, and Lucy should be voiced by Michelle Creber. Look her up if you don't know who she is, but as an animatiin fan, you should know. Creber has voiced Lucy before, in some Peanuts Webisodes, by DHX Media (I think that's who did it).
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