Handmade Films International today announced it is to partner with Madrid-based Ilion Animation Studios for their first CGI animated feature, Planet One, from an original screenplay by the Academy-Award® nominated writer of Shrek, Joe Stillman.
This $50m budgeted feature will be directed by Jorge Blanco, the creator of the multi-million selling console-game series Commandos.
Planet one is described by Handmade as "an out of this world adventure for the whole family. An alien invasion story with a difference."
A spokesman said: "The colourful inhabitants of Planet One, who have two antennae and eight fingers, live their lives in a vibrant world not dissimilar to the suburbs of America in the 1950s, with drive-in movies and a persistent fear of alien invasion.
"Young Planet One inhabitant, Lem, spends his days dreaming of becoming an astronomer and longs to explore the wonderful worlds that he is convinced lie beyond the stars. His daydreams are interrupted one afternoon as out of the sky appears an alien ship which lands slap bang in the middle of a family barbecue.
"The ship is piloted by top astronaut and all-round ladies man, Captain Chuck Baker, who gingerly disembarks expecting to find a barren land in which to plant the American flag only to be confronted by this alien, yet strangely familiar, world.
"Chuck’s arrival brings an unaccustomed chaos to Lem’s life and as they embark on a rollercoaster adventure to find Chuck’s spaceship which has been confiscated by the authorities, Lem uncovers an unfamiliar courage in himself and makes it his mission to keep Chuck safe from the authorities and help him find a safe way home."
Producing the film will be Ilion Animation Studios’ Ignacio Perez Dolset and co-producers Guy Collins & Michael Ryan for HandMade Films International, alongside former President of Nickelodeon, Albie Hecht, whose previous credits include The Rugrats Movie and the Academy-Award® nominated Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, and Lola Films President Andres Vicente Gomez.
Handmade Films International’s Guy Collins said: "This co-production with Ilion demonstrates an exciting move into the field of animation for Handmade.
"We were introduced to Ilion by Andres Vicente Gomez and we were immediately convinced by the quality of the CGI animation and as we got further into discussions also began to appreciate the attention to detail and creative process employed.
"The production & creative team assembled by Ilion is as experienced, dynamic and cutting edge as anything you’d find at the major Hollywood Studios and we believe they are set to be a major producer of CGI animation films, mirroring the success they have enjoyed in their other businesses."
Ilion Animation Studio’s Ignacio Pérez Dolset said: "We are delighted to partner with Handmade for Planet One. After four years working on this project, we have built a full Studio with very talented people and cutting edge technology that enables the production of an amazing visual experience.
"This together with the great story that Joe Stillman has written for us and Handmade's experience in the film market will result in Planet One becoming a big success worldwide."
Production will commence in May 2007 with a theatrical release for Christmas 2008 or Easter 2009.
