According to Deadline, Netflix has picked up Andy Serkis’ performance-capture film, Animal Farm, based on the George Orwell classic novel of the same name. Serkis, Matt Reeves, Rafi Crohn, Adam Kassan, and Jonthan Cavendish will produce. Serkis and Reeves previousy worked together on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes.
The allegorical tale follows a group of animals who rebel against the humans and win their independence. The animals create a utopian environment based on equality, until a pig named Napoleon eliminates his rivals and declares that “all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
In a statement, Serkis said, “we are incredibly excited to have finally found the perfect creative home in Netflix for this extraordinarily zeitgeist work by George Orwell. On top of that, to be re-united with my great friend Matt Reeves — with his acute sensitivity, storytelling intelligence and honesty and command in this realm — is to have the very best scenario for our long-held passion to bring this fable alive.”
Reeves responded, “Andy is such an incredible artist — he is truly a force of nature and a beautiful soul. To be able to work with him again and with Jonathan and Netflix to see Orwell’s classic tale brought to life in a totally new and exciting way is an absolute dream.”
Cavendish said the intention is to bring “Animal Farm to the screen in a thoroughly contemporary fashion, which will highlight the staggering relevance today of the satirical and dramatic power of Orwell’s re-imagined classic.”
We will keep you posted as developments arise.