Channing Tatum is joining forces with a pair of rising stars on the upcoming Warner Bros. animated film, Smallfoot. Hollywood has had a long fascination with urban legends of large humanoid beasts, resulting in everything from the Abominable Snowman in vintage Bugs Bunny cartoons and Monsters, Inc., to the versions of “Bigfoot” in both comedic and/or horror films like Harry and the Hendersons and Willow Creek. Now WB is putting a new animated spin on the mythical creature with its developing Smallfoot project.
The script for Smallfoot is penned by Karey Kirkpatrick (Over the Hedge), based on an original concept by animator/writer Sergio Pablos (Despicable Me). Kirkpatrick will also direct the film, which flips the traditional Bigfoot legend by making the monster the hero — who believes in the existence of seemingly mythical humans.
According to a report from The Tracking Board, the Warner Animation Group has already cast the leads for Smallfoot. Channing Tatum, who next appears on the big screen in Kingsman: The Golden Circle, joins Gina Rodriguez (star of TV’s Jane the Virgin), and Zendaya (Spider-Man: Homecoming) as voice actors for the film.
Tatum already has experience voicing animated characters, with his role as Superman in The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Batman Movie, as well as parts on Fox properties The Simpsons and The Book of Life. In addition to Smallfoot, his upcoming film projects includes voice work for Netflix’s R-rated animated movie, America: The Motion Picture.
Rodriguez’ big screen credits include Deepwater Horizon and upcoming sci-fi film Annihilation, which also features Oscar Isaac and Natalie Portman. Ahead of Smallfoot, the actress has two additional voice roles in The Star and Ferdinand, both due in theaters later this year.
Best known as a Disney Channel star, Zendaya is hoping to get to the next level with the upcoming Spider-Man film as well as The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson and another Disney Channel alum, Zac Efron. Like her Smallfoot costars, Zendaya also has another voice role in the works, in 2018 animated film Duck Duck Goose.
Animated family films are always in high demand at the theaters, and Warner Bros. will be hoping for another hit with Smallfoot. With a fun spin on an old tale, as well as actors with experience bringing comedic energy to their characters, this upcoming feature is off to a good start.
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Key Release Dates
Smallfoot
Release Date:2018-09-28
