Paul Feig Will Produce Fox’s ‘Peanuts’ Movie
After a couple of R-rated successes,Paul Feigis mixing it up with some family fare. TheBridesmaidsdirector has just signed on to produce the upcomingPeanutsmovie for Blue Sky Studios and 20th Century Fox, where Feig has a first-look deal.
The project represents new territory for Feig, not because it’s kid-friendly — beforeBridesmaids, his last feature was the PG-ratedUnaccompanied Minors— but because it’s animated. Hit the jump for more details on the projects.
Feig voiced his excitement for the project. “Growing up,Peanutswas myStar Wars,” he said (viaDeadline). “Charles Schulz’s characters influenced everything in my career, especiallyFreaks and Geeks. I’m thrilled I finally get to be pals with Charlie Brown and Snoopy.” Indeed,Freaks and Geeksboasted that same bittersweet, deeply humane tone that’s at the center ofPeanuts' appeal.
Craig Schulz sounded equally pleased to work with Feig, albeit in that stiff press-release kind of way. “As we continue on our creative journey to bring my father’s characters to life, collaborating with a talent like Paul is a great step forward. Knowing howPeanuts, especially Charlie Brown’s never-give-up-attitude, has influenced him throughout his life makes this partnership even more meaningful,” he said.
The new film is set for release onNovember 6, 2015, which more or less coincides with the 65th anniversary of Schulz’s original comic strip and the 50th anniversary of its best-known animated adaptation,A Charlie Brown Christmas. Feig’s other upcoming projects includeSusan Cooper, a spy comedy starring Melissa McCarthy and probably Jason Statham.
