Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki Join ‘Peter Rabbit’ Live-Action/Animated Pic (EXCLUSIVE)
Daisy Ridley and Elizabeth Debicki have joined the cast of Sony’s live-action/animated hybrid “Peter Rabbit,” starring Rose Byrne and James Corden.
The film will be directed by Will Gluck from a screenplay by Rob Lieber with revisions by Gluck. The adaptation will be made at Animal Logic, the Sydney-based animation and visual effects production studio behind the global blockbuster “The Lego Movie.”
Gluck and Zareh Nalbandian are both attached to produce the feature, with Doug Belgrad serving as executive producer. Jodi Hildebrand of Olive Bridge and Jason Lust will also serve as executive producers.
Corden will voice Peter and Byrne will star in the live-action female lead role of Bea.
With this film, Columbia and Frederick Warne will bring Beatrix Potter’s beloved character Peter Rabbit to a new family audience. Warne has been Beatrix Potter’s publisher since its publication of “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” in 1902, and is home to the Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter brands.
“We at Penguin Random House UK are delighted to be working with Columbia Pictures,” said Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin Random House UK. “As custodians of Beatrix Potter’s brand and legacy, we are excited about the opportunity this production will bring to engage a whole new audience with the world of Beatrix Potter and one of her best-loved characters, the mischievous Peter Rabbit.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment will create and execute a worldwide licensing and merchandising program for the new “Peter Rabbit,” in association with Warne.
Production on “Peter Rabbit” is due to commence in January 2017, and is set for worldwide release in April 2018. The film will be made with the support of the Australian Government through Screen Australia and Screen NSW, and in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation. Lauren Abrahams will oversee the project for the studio.
After breaking out in “Star Wars: the Force Awakens,” Ridley has quickly begun building her resume. Besides the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode VIII,” she’s also attached to star in the YA adaptation “Chaos Walking” at Lionsgate and the supernatural drama “Kolma” at Paramount, which reteams her with J.J. Abrams. She is also set to topline “The Lost Wife” for producer Robbie Brenner.
Debicki is coming off the highly acclaimed “The Night Manager,” which recently won an Emmy for best directing for a limited series for helmer Susanne Bier, and can be seen next in Paramount’s “God Particle,” which Abrams is also producing.
Both are repped by CAA. Debicki is also being repped by United Agents.
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