The Great Gatsby is getting animated for the first time. F. Scott Fitzgerald. Everyone knows that name, and if someone doesn’t they have been living under a rock. His most famous book that all kids should have read in high school is The Great Gatsby. 

The classic novel has been adapted a few times, and the one of note is Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 version that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan. The first adaptation came out in 1949, then after that came the 1974 version, and in 2000, another version starred a young Paul Rudd as Carraway. There is also a TV series in the works with writer Michael Hirst (Elizabeth, The Tudors, Vikings).

The Rolie Polie Olie author William Joyce is set to direct the animated feature with Brian Selznick (Wonderstruck) writing the screenplay. DNEG Feature Animation is on board to create the animated world of The Great Gatsby.

“Gatsby continues to cast a powerful spell over readers unlike any other book in American letters. Much of the power of Gatsby comes from the enchantment of Fitzgerald’s prose,” said Joyce. “He created a vivid dreamscape that, to some degree, has eluded filmmakers since the silent era. The previous film versions were constrained by live-action, but innovative animation could finally realize the elusive quality of the novel.”

DNEG Feature Animation has worked with Joyce before on an original animated short, Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat.