The Borrowers remake in the works at Universal

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

I hope you're ready to go on a larger-than-life adventure because Universal Pictures and Working Title are working on a remake of The Burrowers.

Conrad Vernon (Sausage Party, The Addams Family) is set to direct from a script penned by Patrick Burleigh (Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway), based on the Mary Norton book series of the same name.

The Borrowers revolves around a family living beneath the kitchen of an English house – Pod, Homily, and their daughter Arietty – who "borrow" objects from "human beans" to survive. Theirs is a life full of adventure and danger around every corner. However, it's pretty boring if you're a kid who has to remain inside at all times. Pod is the only one allowed to venture out, but Arietty is through taking orders. She wants a friend, and there's a human boy nearby who looks friendly enough.

The remake is expected to be a live-action affair akin to the live-action feature adaptation in 1997 starring John Goodman and Jim Broadbent. Burleigh recently wrote Sony’s Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway, which is poised to hop onto screens on June 18. Perhaps the bigger deal is that Burleigh is helping to write Marvel's Eternals, directed by Oscar-winner Chloe Zhao. That said, Burleigh's writing credits on that project are still being sussed out.

Vernon is, of course, no stranger to family-friendly films. His directing credits include films like The Addams Family, Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Shrek 2. That's quite the spread for sure, and now he'll be adding the adaptation of a literary classic to his resume.

If you're in the mood for an animated take on The Borrowers, be sure to check out Studio Ghibli's The Secret World of Arriety. Directed by Hirosama Yonebayashi, the beautifully animated feature revolves around the Clock family, who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their teenage daughter, Arrietty, is discovered. It's my preferred adaptation of Norton's classic story, and I highly recommend it.