MUMBAI: Gore Verbinski and Graham King are collaborating for the first time to develop and produce a big budget animated tale designed with franchise potential. Currently untitled, Academy Award nominee John Logan is in discussions to write the script for the feature, which Verbinski is currently working on, based on an idea developed by his production company Blind Wink Productions and producer John B Carls.
 
“I have always been inspired by animation as an art form. I think this is a tremendous opportunity to move the medium forward and continue to engage, challenge and entertain the audience. We have a unique team of virtuosos coming together and I truly believe that we can break free from the traditional mold, and create a new style that is all our own,” said Verbinski.
 
King said, “As one of the most imaginative, exciting filmmakers around today, whenever Gore turns his attention to a new project, he raises the bar in creative excellence. One only has to look at the fantastic effects and visionary ideas in Pirates to know that Gore’s first animated project will no doubt continue that trend. As you can imagine, to be partnering with Gore on producing this project as well as working with John again is particularly exciting for me.”
 
Verbinski’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has given Disney a record breaking box office haul totaling $2.7 bn with the second film in the series, Dead Man’s Chest, breaking the $1bn worldwide box office mark—one of only three films to have achieved such a coveted result.
 
Verbinski is already bringing together an experienced group of below the line specialists to map out the design for the film, many of whom worked with him on creation of the storyboards, creatures and effects for his Pirates franchise. These include Visual Effects specialist Mark Crash McCreery who specializes in creature and character design.
 
Also on board is James Ward Byrkit who joins the creative team as Head of Story and Storyboard Artist. Byrkit has worked with Verbinski as art department designer on all three Pirate titles as well as Verbinski’s Mousehunt.
 
GK Films and Blind Wink Productions are producing the film with Verbinski, King and Carls as producers.