Following the cancellation by Disney of Fox’s Mouse Guard series, Netflix is attempting to fill the gap with rodents. It is a collaboration with the Penguin Random House Children’s UK, the streaming platform revealed on Wednesday morning, to create an animated film and TV series, which are focused on Brian Jacques’ Redwall novels. The novel was first released in 1986 and now consists of 22 books in an anthropomorphic setting like mice in Tolkien.
Patrick McHale, the author of Over The Garden Wall, is writing the feature film, which will be based on the first book. If all goes according to schedule, Netflix will be able to unleash a brand-new franchise with plenty of source content. According to Deadline, the TV adaptation will center on the character of Martin The Hunter, “a wise and ferocious mouse who co-founded Redwall Abbey along with Abbess Germaine.”
“The deal marks the first time that the film rights to the entire book series have been held by the same company,” according to the official press release. “It also marks the first time a feature film of any of Jacques’ works will be made.” The books were originally adapted into a three-season animated series that aired in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It has also spawned a stage musical and a video game.
Ben Horslen, Fiction Publisher, Penguin Random House Children, confirmed that “we couldn’t be happier to announce this contract.” “These perennially popular stories have been etched onto the hearts of millions of readers, and we are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring those beloved characters on screen for families worldwide to enjoy.”
The Redwall Abbey corporation’s director, Alan Ingram, said: “Brian often travelled the globe to tell his Redwall stories to young audiences, more often than not at their schools.” “Brian would have been very happy to see that Netflix shares his joy and desire to bring his stories to life as a new universe of films, series and potentially much more for audiences of all ages to enjoy. We are very excited to embark on this new endeavour with Netflix and Penguin Random House UK.”
The Mouse Guard comic by David Petersen, which also includes mice and other small rodents for telling an exciting fantasy adventure, is recalled by Redwall. This book was published by Archaia Studios Press in 2006 and was about to be released as an adaptation two weeks before Disney pulled the plug on the project, by Maze Runner director Wes Ball. The motion-capturing project at the time was to star Idris Elba, Andy Serkis, Samson Kayo, Jack Whitehall, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Sonoya Mizuno.
Stay in tune with Spring Tribune for more news on Netflix’s Redwall.
