Curious George Goes to Hollywood

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By Staff -- School Library Journal, 04/01/2004

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Curious George and other children's favorites are about to hit the big screen. An animated version of H. A. and Margret Rey's Curious George series (Houghton), featuring Saturday Night Live alumnus Will Ferrell as the voice of the Man in the Yellow Hat, is scheduled for release in November 2005.

In addition, an animated version of Kate DiCamillo's 2003 Newbery Medal–winning The Tale of Despereaux (Candlewick) is in the works. Gary Ross, who directed the Oscar–nominated film Seabiscuit, will produce the big-screen adaptation of DiCamillo's novel about a mouse that falls in love with a human princess.

Judy Blume has also joined the fray. Walt Disney Pictures recently signed a deal with the writer to turn several of her best-selling books into films. First up is Deenie (Bradbury, 1973), about a teen who learns that she has the spinal disease scoliosis. Disney is also preparing a series of live-action movies based on C. S. Lewis's famous Chronicles of Narnia series (HarperCollins). Casting is already under way for a film version of the first book, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, which will be shot in New Zealand this summer.

Finally, Philip Pullman fans will be pleased to hear that a film version of the author's His Dark Materials trilogy (Knopf), beginning with The Golden Compass (1996), will begin shooting this year.