The Twits (film)

Last updated

The Twits
Directed by Phil Johnston
Screenplay by
Story by
Based on The Twits
by Roald Dahl
Produced by
  • Phil Johnston
  • Maggie Malone
Production
companies
Distributed by Netflix
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Twits is an upcoming American animated comedy film co-produced and directed by Phil Johnston, who co-wrote the screenplay with Meg LeFauve from a screen story by Kirk DeMicco and John Cleese, based on the 1980 novel of the same name by Roald Dahl.

Contents

The Twits will be released in 2025 by Netflix.

Production

Development

Since February 2003, a feature film adaptation of the book has been in development by Vanguard Animation and its founder John H. Williams. As part of a multi-picture deal with Walt Disney Pictures, Vanguard was set to produce a CG animated/live-action film, with John Cleese and Kirk DeMicco writing the screenplay. [1]

In November 2004, it was reported that Mark Mylod signed up to direct the feature, and that Cleese may star in the film. [2] In October 2006, after the executive/regime changes at Disney, the project moved to Working Title and Universal. [3] [4] By January 2012, the official site of Vanguard Animation stated that Conrad Vernon, the director of Shrek 2 (2004) and Monsters vs. Aliens (2009), would direct the film. [5]

In April 2022, following Netflix's acquisition of the Roald Dahl company, [6] [7] it was reported that a feature film will be distributed by Netflix, after having previously announced an animated series based on the book. [8] In September 2023, alongside the release of a first-look image of the film, it was announced that Phil Johnston was directing the feature and co-writing the screenplay with Meg LeFauve. [7]

Animation

Animation had begun by September 2023, the same month it was reported that Jellyfish Pictures was doing animation on the film. [7]

Release

The film is set to release in 2025 on Netflix, with a first-look image releasing in September 2023. [7]

Related Research Articles

Aardman Animations Limited is a British animation studio based in Bristol, England. It is known for films and television series made using stop-motion and clay animation techniques, particularly those featuring its plasticine characters from Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Morph. After some experimental computer-animated short films during the late 1990s, beginning with Owzat (1997), Aardman entered the computer animation market with Flushed Away (2006). As of February 2020, it had earned $1.1 billion worldwide, with an average $135.6 million per film.

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> 1964 childrens novel by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 1964 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. The story features the adventures of young Charlie Bucket inside the chocolate factory of eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.

<i>Matilda</i> (novel) 1988 childrens novel by Roald Dahl

Matilda is a 1988 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. It was published by Jonathan Cape. The story features Matilda Wormwood, a precocious child with an uncaring mother and father, and her time in school run by the tyrannical headmistress Miss Trunchbull.

<i>The Twits</i> 1980 childrens novel by Roald Dahl

The Twits is a 1980 children's novel by British author Roald Dahl. It was first published by Jonathan Cape. The story features The Twits, a spiteful, idle, unkempt couple who continuously play nasty practical jokes on each other to amuse themselves, and exercise their devious wickedness on their pet monkeys.

Nickelodeon Movies Inc. is an American film production company owned by Paramount Global. Originally founded in 1995, it serves as both the film production arm of the American children's network Nickelodeon and the family film distribution label of Paramount Pictures, operating under its Paramount Players division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Sanders</span> American filmmaker and animator (born 1962)

Christopher Michael Sanders is an American filmmaker, animator, and voice actor. His credits include Lilo & Stitch (2002) and How to Train Your Dragon (2010), both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with Dean DeBlois, The Croods (2013) with Kirk DeMicco, and The Call of the Wild (2020). He is also known for creating the story behind Lilo & Stitch and for creating and voicing its latter title character in the film and its franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie del Carmen</span> Filipino storyboard artist

Ronaldo del Carmen is a Filipino writer, director, storyboard artist, illustrator, and voice actor. He co-directed and co-wrote the story for the Pixar film Inside Out (2015), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

<i>Space Chimps</i> 2008 animated comic science fiction film

Space Chimps is a 2008 animated comic science fiction film directed by Kirk DeMicco, who wrote the screenplay with Rob Moreland. It features the voices of Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels, Patrick Warburton, Kristin Chenoweth, Kenan Thompson, Zack Shada, Carlos Alazraqui, Omid Abtahi, Patrick Breen, Jane Lynch, Kath Soucie, and Stanley Tucci.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirk DeMicco</span> American filmmaker

Kirk DeMicco is an American filmmaker. He is best known for his work on animated films, such as writing and directing Space Chimps (2008), The Croods (2013), Vivo (2021), and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023).

<i>The Croods</i> 2013 film by Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders

The Croods is a 2013 American animated adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by 20th Century Fox. The film was directed by Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco, both of whom also wrote the screenplay and were credited with conceiving the story alongside John Cleese. The film stars the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke, and Cloris Leachman. The film is set in a fictional prehistoric Pliocene era known as "The Croodaceous" when Grug, patriarch of the Croods, is threatened by the arrival of a genius named Guy, who comes up with revolutionary new inventions as they trek through a dangerous but exotic land in search of a new home.

<i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory</i> (franchise) Fantasy media franchise created by Roald Dahl

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a media franchise based on the 1964 novel of the same name by British author Roald Dahl. It includes two books, three live-action theatrical films, three video games and miscellaneous other properties, such as touring musicals and theatrical adaptations, various merchandise and defunct amusement park ride.

Mikros Animation is a French production company specializing in the creation of digital visual effects, post-production and animation.

<i>Vivo</i> (film) 2021 film by Kirk DeMicco

Vivo is a 2021 American animated musical comedy film directed by Kirk DeMicco and co-directed by Brandon Jeffords, from a screenplay written by DeMicco and Quiara Alegría Hudes. Based on an original idea by Hudes and Peter Barsocchini, the film is produced by Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures Animation, with songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also serves as an executive producer and voices the title character. The film also features the voices of Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Rooker, Nicole Byer, Gloria Estefan, and introduces Ynairaly Simo in her film debut as Gabi. Vivo marks Sony Pictures Animation's first musical film. The story follows Vivo (Miranda), a music-loving kinkajou, who embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and must deliver a love song to Marta Sandoval (Estefan), a retiring singer.

<i>My Fathers Dragon</i> (2022 film) 2022 film directed by Nora Twomey

My Father's Dragon is a 2022 animated fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Nora Twomey with a screenplay by Meg LeFauve who co-wrote the story with John Morgan. It is based on the 1948 children's novel of the same name by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The film is also dedicated to Morgan who had since died. It stars the voices of Jacob Tremblay, Gaten Matarazzo, Golshifteh Farahani, Dianne Wiest, Rita Moreno, Chris O'Dowd, Judy Greer, Alan Cumming, Yara Shahidi, Jackie Earle Haley, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ian McShane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Netflix Animation</span> American animation studio

Netflix Animation is an American animation studio and a subsidiary of Netflix, Inc. It was founded in March 2018. The studio primarily produces and develops animated programs and feature films.

<i>Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness</i> 2022 animated film by nWave Pictures

Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness is a 2022 animated adventure comedy film produced by nWave Pictures, written by David Collard and directed by Benjamin Mousquet and Ben Stassen; it is based on the graphic novel Chickenhare by Chris Grine. The film follows the adventures and coming-of-age journey of Chickenhare, a one-of-a-kind hero born half chicken and half hare, who is eager to fit in and become an adventurer despite his differences. It is one of Brad Venable's final film roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jellyfish Pictures</span> Film and television production company

Jellyfish Pictures is a British VFX and animation company specializing in the creation of digital visual effects and animation.

<i>Matilda the Musical</i> (film) 2022 film by Matthew Warchus

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, or simply Matilda the Musical, or Matilda, is a 2022 musical film directed by Matthew Warchus from a screenplay by Dennis Kelly, based on the stage musical of the same name by Tim Minchin and Kelly, which in turn was based on the 1988 novel Matilda by Roald Dahl. It is the second film adaptation of the novel, following Matilda (1996). The film stars Alisha Weir as the title character, alongside Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough, Sindhu Vee, and Emma Thompson. In the plot, Matilda Wormwood (Weir), who is neglected and mistreated by her parents, develops psychokinetic abilities to deal with Miss Trunchbull (Thompson), the ruthless and cruel headmistress of Crunchem Hall School.

<i>The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar</i> (film) 2023 American short film

Roald Dahl's The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, or simply The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, is a 2023 American fantasy short film written, co-produced, and directed by Wes Anderson, based on the 1977 short story "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" by Roald Dahl. It is the second film adaptation of a Dahl work directed by Anderson, following Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character alongside Ralph Fiennes, Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade. The story sees a rich man learning about a clairvoyant guru who could see without using his eyes through the power of a particular form of Yoga, then setting out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

References

  1. Brodesser, Claude (February 4, 2003). "'Twits' pic pleases Cleese". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  2. Dawtrey, Adam (November 21, 2004). "Bigscreen goes Dahl-crazy". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  3. Dawtrey, Adam (October 22, 2006). "Working Title takes reality check". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  4. "Kirk DeMicco: Monkey Business". Total Sci-Fi Online. July 15, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  5. "The Twits". Vanguard Animation. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  6. Gray, Alistair (September 22, 2021). "Netflix snaps up entire works of Roald Dahl for over £500m". Financial Times. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Ntim, Zac (September 18, 2023). "'The Twits:' Animated Feature Adaptation Of Roald Dahl Book Set At Netflix, First Look Revealed". Deadline. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  8. Taylor, Drew (April 20, 2022). "Netflix Animation Erased: Executives Fired, Shows Canceled and Accusations of 'Staged Data' (Exclusive)". TheWrap . Retrieved April 26, 2022 via Yahoo!.