Oh, brother…this is good news! Well, it is to me, anyway. As a lifelong fan of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang I can only say…finally! A property worth exploration on the big screen has been found. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. announced today that they will release a PEANUTS feature film worldwide in 2015 in a joint venture with Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates
The as yet untitled animated event will be released on November 25, 2015. 2015 will mark the 65th anniversary of the debut of the “Peanuts” comic strip and the 50th anniversary of the landmark television special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
The PEANUTS screenplay has been written and will be produced by Craig Schulz, son of Charles Schulz along with his own son, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano. Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios have been chosen by the Schulz family to distribute, produce and animate the film. Steve Martino will direct; previously, he brought to the big screen (with Jimmy Hayward) DR. SEUSS’ HORTON HEARS A WHO! Martino also directed (with Michael Thurmeier) Fox’s recent box-office smash ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT.
“This is a momentous step for the Peanuts brand. The beloved characters, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the whole gang resonate with multiple generations all over the world,” commented Neil Cole, CEO, Iconix Brand Group. “This film will give us a new medium in which to engage consumers globally and showcase the power of the Peanuts brand.”
Craig Schulz, President, Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, commented, “We have been working on this project for years. We finally felt the time was right and the technology is where we need it to be to create this film. I am thrilled we will be partnering with Blue Sky/Fox to create a Peanuts movie that is true to the strip and will continue the legacy in honor of my father.”
Vanessa Morrison, President, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, commented, “We are thrilled to partner with the Schulz family and Iconix and honored to bring the Peanuts characters to the big screen. This all started with our love and respect for the work of Charles Schulz. We thank the Schulz family and Iconix for letting Fox and Blue Sky bring his vision to new generations of film goers.”
I know some people will be leery of this and throw out the comparison to SMURFS or some other childhood-raping adaptation, but I’m confident we’re in good hands here. The Schulz family has kept tight reigns on this property for decades and I don’t see them selling out Charles Schulz’s original vision to potty humor and pop-culture referencing nonsense. I could always be wrong, but I don’t see Seth MacFarlane’s name anywhere on this.
The PEANUTS film will hit theaters on November 25, 2015.