Scott Fitzgerald’s famous novel, The Great Gatsby will be developed into an animated feature film for the first time, with a noted team of industry veterans coming together to produce the project.
Helmed by Oscar-winning filmmaker, writer and illustrator William Joyce has teamed-up with novelist, screenwriter and illustrator Brian Selznick and leading animation studio DNEG Feature Animation on this brand-new adaptation of 1925 Jazz Age masterpiece.
Commenting on the project, Joyce said: “Gatsby continues to cast a powerful spell over readers unlike any other book in American letters. Much of the power of Gatsby comes from the enchantment of Fitzgerald’s prose. He created a vivid dreamscape that, to some degree, has eluded filmmakers since the silent era. The previous film versions were constrained by live action, but innovative animation could finally realize the elusive quality of the novel.”
Joyce, who wrote and directed the Academy Award winning animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, will direct the feature, based on a script written by Selznick, creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck, both adapted into film, with Hugo winning multiple Oscars.
Brian Selznick added: “I’ve been friends with William [Joyce] for nearly my entire career. I’ve always marveled at his ability to invent indelible worlds and unforgettable characters. When he told me about his dream of making Gatsby into an animated movie, I immediately understood what a magical synthesis this could be. The rich wonderland of William Joyce’s vision is a brilliant match for the shimmering prose of F. Scott Fitzgerald, and I’m thrilled to help him bring this unique cinematic experience to life.”
Veteran producer Michael Siegel and DNEG Creative Production SVP David Prescott collaborate with Joyce as producers on the animated feature film. The renowned studio will provide animation services.
David Prescott stated: “We are in the perfect time for an animated Gatsby. Viewers of all ages are embracing animation as another way to experience different stories. Bill and I have been floating a variety of ideas around over the last few years, discussing ideal stories to bring to the screen, and I really do feel that ‘The Great Gatsby’ is one such story. The style of animation and imagery we are creating for this project are so beautifully married together.”
DNEG Feature Animation has also been working with William Joyce on an original animated short titled Mr. Spam Gets a New Hat. The team, headed by DNEG’s Taylor Moll as Visual Effects supervisor, has been developing the animated project within Unreal Engine, pushing the boundaries of what real-time game engine technology can bring to production feature animation. Mr Spam Gets A New Hat is slated to release in summer 2021.
Speaking on the project, Taylor Moll mentioned: “We are incredibly excited about the new methodologies we are employing on this short film with Bill and cannot wait to bring this same workflow to The Great Gatsby. “