Skydance Media, the film financing/production company started by David Ellison has been making major moves to get into animation, having formed a multi-year partnership with Madrid-bases Ilion Animation Studios (
Planet 51, Paramount's upcoming
Wonder Park), where they will produce their films. It was recently announced that an original feature, Powerless, will be directed by
Tangled director Nathan Greno, and in addition to that, Vicky Jenson (
Shrek) and Alessandro Carloni (
Kung Fu Panda 3) have already been lined up to direct the company's first two features.
Now Skydance has its sights set on
The Fourteenth Goldfish, a children's book written by Jennifer L. Holm. The Skydance Animation division has tapped the husband-and-wife team of Theodore Melfi and Kimberly Quinn (
Hidden Figures) to write and produce through their own Goldenlight Films. Alessandro Carloni (
Kung Fu Panda 3) will executive produce while Spanish artists Alfredo Torres and Victor Maldonado (
Nocturna,
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia) from Headless Productions are on board to direct the film.
"We fell in love with The Fourteenth Goldfish immediately and were passionate about telling this story featuring characters of all ages and the unique comedic circumstances that connects a young girl with her grandfather at an important time in both their lives. These incredible filmmakers are the perfect team to bring this story to life, and we couldn't be happier they chose Skydance as the place to realize their vision." - Bill Damaschke, Skydance President of Animation and Family Entertainment
"It's not often a kid's novel can so elegantly deal with the weighty topics of life and death, getting old, falling in love and moving on, yet somehow, The Fourteenth Goldfish, does all that and more. From the very first read, Kim and I felt this was a special project, a chance to explore humanity's thickest themes through the eyes of a 12-year-old-girl." - Theodore Melfi, Director/Writer of Hidden Figures and Kimberly Quinn, Actress/Co-Producer for Hidden Figures
The Fourteenth Goldfish is described as an "animated comedy about a 12-year-old girl whose middle school life is made even more complicated when her estranged grandfather shows up at her door having reversed his age to fourteen-years-old. Together, they must go on an adventure to stop the technology from falling into the wrong hands." In the meantime, check out the book trailer below.
Jennifer L. Holm is also known for some of her other published works, such as
Our Only May Amelia, Penny From Heaven, and Turtle In Paradise.
What do you think about Skydance's big push in animation? Let us know below!