Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Surprise Development: Harold Lloyd Films to Be Remade in Animation


Now how about that?

In a day and age where Disney is remaking their animated classics into photorealistic/live-action movies, there are plans to turn some live-action classics into new animated features...

The subjects? The films of Harold Lloyd.

A central figure in the days of silent pictures, Harold Lloyd transitioned well into the age of talkies. Not only that, but he specialized in then-groundbreaking (and dangerous!) stunts, action scenes, and many other technical feats. He made tons of films, rivaled the likes of Charlie Chaplin, he's a Hollywood icon through and through.

His estate and Comic Animations are partnering with CineSite to turn some of his pictures into animated features. Harold Lloyd's granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, had this to say...

By donning unassuming glasses, Harold Lloyd became the boy next door everyone could relate to and he shot to stardom to enchant and entertain generations of film fans. I appreciate the opportunity to work with Dave Rosenbaum, Eamonn Butler and all the talented people at Cinesite to bring Harold’s comedy genius to the world in a new and innovative way. We need laughter now more than ever.

I'm going to assume that the silent movies are going to be the ones to be adapted, particularly the iconic Safety Last!

It's just another set of additions to CineSite's big plan. Last year, the company announced their animation division and a slate of projects that looks to take off soon. They're currently doing the animation work for Sony Animation's Nativity retelling The Star, and are set to spearhead Nut Job director Pete Lepeniotis' Gnome Alone, a Riverdance adaptation, John H. Williams/Vanguard's Charming, and Sergio Pablos' exciting 2D/CG hybrid Klaus.

Do I think those silent films could work as all-animated feature-length films? Maybe. If they could make an all-silent 90-minute film based on these films, that would be something, but I doubt that will happen. I'm not sure how they'll execute these ideas, so in the mean time I'm curious. I just like the idea of a live-action film being redone as theatrical animation, not direct-to-video stuff. That's a rare occurrence here.

What say you?

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