We’re kind of curious to hear what James Cameron thinks of this, but the upcoming Universal live action/animated hybrid comedy by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane has a lot riding on it. Starting with its reported $65 million budget. The figure is extraordinarily high for an R-rated comedy (remember, Paramount put the kibosh on “Anchorman 2” because they thought the $60 million budget was too high) but the filmmakers are making sure they’re gonna spend the shit out of it.
Speaking with MTV, Mark Wahlberg (who recently confirmed he’s taking the lead role in the picture) revealed that in the film that focuses on the relationship between a man and his teddy bear (the latter character will be CG-generated and voiced by MacFarlane himself), the titular stuffed animal is going to animated via motion-capture. ” ….the bear is gonna look like a little teddy bear, but it’s motion-capture. It’s like ‘Avatar.’ It’s never been done before. It’s insane….”
Plot details are being kept under wraps, but this one is definitely not for kids. Previous reports have revealed roles for characters ranging from “a racist homosexual, a woman obsessed with talking about men shaving their assholes, and a ‘Jewish-looking’ person who makes anti-Semitic remarks.” MacFarlane will not let any button go unpushed.
Wahlberg has spilled a bit more about the plot of the film revealing, “But it’s about this kid who gets a bear for Christmas. And, you know, it’s the ’70s — it’s one of those Teddy Ruxpin-ish teddy bears where you squeeze it and it says, ‘I love you!’ The kid wishes and dreams that the bear would come alive — and a Christmas wish must be granted — and it does [come alive].” We presume the 1970s setting opens the film and then catches up with the grown man years later and, “The bear becomes famous, and that’s my ticket to getting things and living a life of privilege.”
The film will shoot in early 2011 and we have to admit we’re curious. However, MacFarlane is also the worst for taking a funny gag and then driving it into the ground (see every recent episode of “Family Guy”) and given his fondness for musical numbers, we fully expect at least one raunchy song in the film. Whether or not MacFarlane’s penchant for in your face un-P.C. hijinks can fulfill a ninety minute film remain to be seen, we’re definitely excited by the film’s ambitious concept and hope the brazen attitude pays off.