20 Oct – Fans of the world's famous beagle, Snoopy, and friends will be able to watch their beloved characters in cinemas on 25 November 2015, as 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios have announced that they will be making a feature film based on the late Charles Schulz's beloved and iconic "Peanuts" franchise.
According to Vanessa Morrison, president of 20th Century Fox Animation, "We are thrilled to partner with the Schulz family and Iconix and honoured to bring the Peanuts characters to the big screen. This all started with our love and respect for the work of Charles Schulz. We thank the Schulz family and Iconix for letting Fox and Blue Sky bring his vision to new generations of film goers."
The as-yet-untitled event has been set for that date in particular because the year 2015 will marks the 65th anniversary of the debut of the "Peanuts" comic strip and the 50th anniversary of the landmark television special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas".
The popular and influential comic strips written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz began its run on 2 October 1950 to 13 February 2000, continuing in reruns afterward. In addition to the comic strips, there were Peanuts holiday television specials such as the aforementioned "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", which either won or were nominated for Emmy Awards. There was also a stage musical titled "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown".
Steve Martino, who is best known for co-directing Fox/Blue Sky's "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!" with Jimmy Hayward and Fox's "Ice Age: Continental Drift" with Michael Thurmeier, will direct the "Peanuts" feature. Craig Schulz, President of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates, will write the screenplay together with Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano.
The rights for the film were acquired after over two years of discussions between the Studio and members of the Schulz family.
