Fox is looking to expand its animation portfolio with an intriguing new project revealed by Deadline Hollywood.
The network is developing an hour-long, animated drama based on the 1978 Dark Horse comic book series, ElfQuest. The series was created by the husband and wife duo, Wendy and Richard Pini, collectively known as WaRP.
The Sun Elves are elegant and nomadic wanderers and the main protagonists of the comic book series. They are forced to travel through lush woods, hot deserts, and even the shadow-laden Worldsong after being cast out of their country. With each new encounter, the Sun Elves saw their ideals tested but in the end, managed to build new friendships and forge alliances, their relationship with the ferocious Wolfriders becomes a focal point of the series.
WaRP's tale is about more than simply finding a new home. It's about challenging societal bias, investigating environmental implications, and managing the intricacies of interpersonal connections. ElfQuest doesn't shy away from digging into the tangled depths of human (or elf) emotions, from illicit loves to familial disputes.
The indie comic was a staple of nerd culture in the '80s and those early Millennials should be excited and surprised by news of the adaptation. Over the years, there have been many attempts to turn the comic into a film or television show but each project never managed to make it out of development.
Fox's television series adaption will be written by Susan Hurwitz Arneson (The Last Amazon, Magic Order), who will also act as showrunner and executive producer.
In a press statement, Wendy and Richard remarked, "ElfQuest couldn’t be in better hands. Our collaborators trust the story. We have the highest regard for their previous achievements, and they have our blessing and input. We know their adaptation of ElfQuest will be a dream come true."
Producer Adam Rosenberg added, "Wendy and Richard created and sustained one of the most successful independent comics of all time. It’s vividly influenced many of our favorite movies and creators. Along with Susan Arneson, we see their achievement as a perfect jumping off point to explore how post-Spider-Verse animation can take the fantasy genre someplace we haven’t seen before. If you’re an artist who this speaks to, let us know. We’re looking for you."
If you spent your teenage years in the '80s, playing Dungeons and Dragons in your best friend's basement, the news is sure to bring a smile to your face. The Fox adaptation will definitely capture the attention of these fans but the larger question will be whether the unique tale can garner a non-geek following.