Sony Pictures Animation has secured the movie rights to Manimal, a short-lived 1983 NBC series, and is developing it as a live action/CG hybrid film.
The series was created by Glen A. Larson and Donald R. Boyle and it starred the late British actor Simon MacCorkindale as Dr Jonathan Chase, who could change into any animal he chose in order to help the police solve crimes. It was canceled after eight episodes.
Larson will serve as an executive producer on the feature. Sony is currently looking for writers to pitch their ideas. Sony's clearly trying to corner the market on yet another ‘80s nostalgia item as the same studio recently picked up the rights to an ALF movie.
The studio, which created a live-action/CG franchise The Smurfs last summer has announced a release date of sequel for next summer. It was also reported that SPA is developing a 3-D computer-animated Popeye film for so long now.
I think they could do something fun with it. Would you actually pay to see a Manimal movie?
Check out the trailers below.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugb_TIpPoWA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQ-mzYRl3s[/youtube]
Source: THR
