Paramount has attached David Bowers, director of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid films, to direct a Rugrats live action movie. The film is reported to feature a healthy mix of live action and CGI production.
Rugrats, based on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon in the 1990s, will follow the adventures of the imaginative baby Tommy Pickles and his ragtag group of toddlers. Rugrats has spawned three animated films. This will be the first live-action project for the franchise.
Bowers will direct from a script by David Goodman. Bowers, who previously worked as an animator, directed Flushed Away and Astro Boy before breaking through with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise. The success of the first Wimpy Kid film propelled into to an unexpected trilogy (Rodrick Rules, Dog Days, and The Long Haul).
Rugrats is part of a new Paramount strategy to reboot old titles and brands. The studio is also making films from old television series, Dora the Explorer and Are You Afraid of the Dark. Paramount is hoping to tap into its well of nostalgia breathe life into its long dead brands. It remains to be seen if Paramount can catch some of the (re)sequel magic that has blessed Hollywood over the last few years.
Paramount has set Rugrats for a Jan. 29 2021 release. This news was originally reported by The Hollywood Reporter.