Hollywood's annual Black List collects the top unproduced scripts of any given year — most of which wind up getting made. Back in 2015, the top script was a film about Michael Jackson's beloved pet monkey Bubbles. Thankfully, the project will soon see the light of day.
According to Deadline, Kiwi writer, actor and director Taika Waititi is set to helm the project. The multihyphenate who has taken on projects like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople will work alongside co-director Mark Gustafson.
The film will be a stop-motion animation, which is where Gustafson fits into the picture. He's currently co-directing Pinocchio with Guillermo del Toro and has previously worked on films like The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
"It's an idea that fascinates me and one I want to develop further," Waititi said of the film. "Most people know I'm a huge Michael Jackson fan, so the main thing for me is to make sure it's respectful of him and his legacy. I'm not interested in making a biopic; I want to focus on telling a story that blends fact and fantasy, about an animal trying to make sense of the world."
Bubbles is being produced by Dan Harmon's Starburns Industries, who previously produced the Charlie Kaufman animated feature Anomalisa.
"This film is not about Michael Jackson because that's not a story for me to tell — or a story I'd be comfortable telling — it's about a chimpanzee's fascinating journey through the complex jungle of human life," Waititi added. "I think animation is the only way to approach a story like this. I really loved Anomalisa because it was beautiful and authentic in its meditation on loneliness. I'm really excited to be working with Dan Harmon and Starburns as we share similar sensibilities and want to tell human stories in unique and artistic ways."
Stay tuned for more information on this fascinating project as it becomes available.
According to Deadline, Kiwi writer, actor and director Taika Waititi is set to helm the project. The multihyphenate who has taken on projects like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople will work alongside co-director Mark Gustafson.
The film will be a stop-motion animation, which is where Gustafson fits into the picture. He's currently co-directing Pinocchio with Guillermo del Toro and has previously worked on films like The Fantastic Mr. Fox.
"It's an idea that fascinates me and one I want to develop further," Waititi said of the film. "Most people know I'm a huge Michael Jackson fan, so the main thing for me is to make sure it's respectful of him and his legacy. I'm not interested in making a biopic; I want to focus on telling a story that blends fact and fantasy, about an animal trying to make sense of the world."
Bubbles is being produced by Dan Harmon's Starburns Industries, who previously produced the Charlie Kaufman animated feature Anomalisa.
"This film is not about Michael Jackson because that's not a story for me to tell — or a story I'd be comfortable telling — it's about a chimpanzee's fascinating journey through the complex jungle of human life," Waititi added. "I think animation is the only way to approach a story like this. I really loved Anomalisa because it was beautiful and authentic in its meditation on loneliness. I'm really excited to be working with Dan Harmon and Starburns as we share similar sensibilities and want to tell human stories in unique and artistic ways."
Stay tuned for more information on this fascinating project as it becomes available.