Andy Serkis Adapting George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’

Andy Serkis Starts Work on Animated ‘Animal Farm’ Adaptation

The long-gestating movie is in production at last.

You’ve got to credit Andy Serkis for holding on to his passion projects even as distributors come and go. He’s been developing a new take on George Orwell’s classic ‘Animal Farm’ for more than a decade now and is finally in production on the movie.

The 1945 allegorical novella drew from the Russian revolution of 1917 and the Stalinist regime. It involves a group of animals who rebel against the humans who own their farm and win their independence. The architects of the revolution create a utopian environment based on equality, but a pig named Napoleon twists the original intent, slowly eliminates his rivals, and enacts seven commandments the most basic of which declares that "all animals are created equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

It was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 best English-language novels between 1923 to 2005 and won Orwell a retrospective Hugo Award. It’s previously been adapted for radio and the stage, with John Halas and Joy Batchelor mounting a film adaptation in 1954, and John Stephenson adapting it into a TNT TV movie in 1999.

Serkis is bringing his own techniques and ideas to it, along with a script adapted by ‘Storks’ Nicholas Stoller.

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure “THE BATMAN,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo: Jonathan Olley/™ & © DC Comics. Copyright: © 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“We’re keeping it fable-istic and aimed at a family audience. We are not going to handle the politics in a heavy-handed fashion,” Serkis told The Hollywood Reporter of the film back in 2012. “It is going to be emotionally centered in a way that I don’t think has been seen before. The point of view that we take will be slightly different to how it is normally portrayed and the characters, We are examining this in a new light.”

Grabbed by Netflix (which also released Serkis’ performance captured ‘Jungle Book’ adaptation ‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’, it has been in development limbo since then and is now jointly being produced by the director’s Imaginarium company and an animation company called Aniventure. There’s no sign yet where it might end up for distribution.

“The challenging journey to bring this extraordinary story to the screen has been finally rewarded by the opportunity to partner with the brilliant team at Aniventure and [animation and VFX company] Cinesite,” says Serkis in a new statement announcing the latest development. “Together we hope to make our version of Orwell’s ever relevant masterpiece, emotionally powerful, humorous, and relatable for all ages. A tale not only for our times, but for generations to come.”

“Ever since 1945, when George Orwell first published ‘Animal Farm’, the story has remained relevant and a key instrument in understanding how the world works,” adds producer Adam Nagle. “Andy has had a special talent for creating unique and memorable characters during his remarkable career and we’re thrilled to be working with him, Jonathan and Cinesite to adapt ‘Animal Farm’ for modern audiences.”