Oh, Bother! ‘Winnie The Pooh’ Gets Live-Action Treatment, New Anthology
Just days after the announcement that Disney would be making a live-action version of Mulan, it seems the studio will continue the trend with a new version of Winnie the Pooh.
According to Deadline, the new Winnie the Pooh will feature an adult Christopher Robin returning to the Hundred Acre Wood. The screenplay is being written Alex Ross Perry, who wrote and directed Listen Up Phillip and Queen of Earth. As of right now, Disney has not decided on who will serve as director, and no casting decisions have been made.
Recent live-action adaptations of popular animated features from Disney have proven to be successful. Just last month, the studio released a new version of Cinderella, which has grossed almost $340 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Last year’s Maleficent brought in $758 million worldwide, and 2010’s Alice in Wonderland earned $1 billion worldwide. In addition to Mulan and Winne the Pooh, the studio is also planning updates to The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, and Dumbo.
Winnie the Pooh fans will also be happy to know that the honey-loving bear is getting another book. Egmont Publishing issued a press release stating that an “official anthology sequel” will release in 2016 as part of the 90th anniversary of the characters created by A.A. Milne. This new book will be the second “authorized sequel” following 2009’s Return to the Hundred Acre Wood. Mark Burgess, who served as illustrator for the 2009 book, will also illustrate the upcoming anthology.
The authors and the title of the anthology book have yet to be revealed. However, Stephanie Thwaites, a literary agent for Curtis Brown Group, said there will be more Winnie the Pooh stories to come.
“We have taken a lot of time and care over this project and we’re thrilled to have found the right voices to bring A.A. Milne & E.H. Shepard’s characters back to life. There are plenty of exciting plans in place leading up to the 90th Anniversary next year and beyond.”
Over on Twitter, some are not that excited about the idea of a live-action Winnie the Pooh.
apparently a live action winnie the pooh movie is in the works?? i mean i love me some winnie the pooh but that sounds terrifying
— dean winchester (@philsadelphia) April 2, 2015
You’ve got to be kidding…a live-action Winnie the Pooh. -_- Really pushing it. Please tell me this is a late April Fools Joke.
— Zora Catone (@ZoraCatone) April 2, 2015
If the live action Winnie the Pooh stars a live bear, tiger, pig & rabbit, there might be some problems when it’s time to break for lunch…
— Bridget Chase (@mouseinsneakers) April 2, 2015
What are your thoughts on a live-action Winnie the Pooh?
[Image via Disney Wiki]
