Apple Announces New 'Peanuts' Feature
Apple are still relative newcomers when it comes to streaming television and movies. And in comparison to some of their more established rivals, they have a relatively modest animation selection. One of the most successful animation releases on Apple TV+ is the Peanuts collection, which includes classic specials such as A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and TV Series Snoopy In Space and The Snoopy Show. Now Apple have announced that they will be joined by their first Peanuts feature film (the second Peanuts feature overall).
The film is to be produced by Apple in association with WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide. The film is slated to begin production in 2024 from WildBrain Studios, the film will see the Peanuts gang headed to the big city. Along the way they will meet some surprising new friends and discover the true meaning of freindship.
The screenplay is co-written by Karey Kirkpatrick, who has written animated films such as Chicken Run, Smallfoot and Over The Hedge. It's based on an original story by Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz and Cornelius Uliano, the team that wrote 2015's The Peanuts Movie.
The film will be directed by Steve Martino, two-time Annie nominee and director of The Peanuts Movie, and is produced by Bonnie Arnold (How To Train Your Dragon trilogy, Toy Story).
“Fans of all ages have been enamoured with Peanuts on Apple TV+,” said Tara Sorensen, Apple's head of children’s programming. “With our unmatched library of Peanuts titles, and award-winning collection of stories that bring kids and families together, Apple TV+ is the preeminent home for Snoopy and friends and offers a world-class selection of series and films featuring the most globally cherished animated characters. We can’t wait for everyone to experience this heartwarming new adventure with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang in the Big City.”
"It is so special to carry on my father’s legacy with an original story from me, my son Bryan, and his writing partner Neil,” said writer Craig Schulz. “We are excited to be partnering with Apple TV+ and working with WildBrain Studios to bring audiences a brand-new Peanuts adventure, along with the talented Bonnie Arnold as producer and Steve Martino as director. Peanuts fans have been clamouring for another feature for years, and this film will bring joy to our millions of fans around the world.”
It's not clear if the film will be 2D animated as with the TV series and specials or if it will be stylised CG like Blue Sky's original Peanuts Movie. But based on the first image, we're leaning towards the latter.
Apple TV+ is the worldwide streaming home of all things Peanuts (the 2015 movie excluded) which includes classic and new specials and TV series. It joins a line-up of animation that includes Central Park, Strange Planet, Oscar-nominated Wolfwalkers and Oscar-winning The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
