Elementary School was likely the last time you thought about “Peter Rabbit,” but that’s about to change. Get the chance to re-live another part of your childhood as Sony’s Columbia Pictures and director Will Gluck get ready to begin production on live action/animated “Peter Rabbit,” their take on the beloved children’s book. The film will be made at the same Sydney production studio that produced “The Lego Movie,” and if any of that luck rubs off on “Peter Rabbit,” they’ll have another hit on their hands.
James Corden will voice the title character, with Rose Byrne in a live action role as Bea, and Daisy Ridley, and Elizabeth Debicki also lending their pipes. Producers for the film include Jodi Hildebrand of Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment, as well as Zareh Nalbandian, Doug Belgrad, and Jason Lust.
Sony is working with Penguin Random House UK, as well as publishing company Frederick Warne & Co., which has had control of the brand and all publishing for “Peter Rabbit” since 1902, to launch a full-scale merchandising campaign ahead of the film’s release. So, get ready to buy the kids in your life all kinds of toys.
Production will kick-off in January of 2017 and will be released in April 2018. [Variety/Deadline]