Directed by Uli Meyer, the film will be produced by Lupus Films, Uli Meyer Studios and Melusine Productions.
GFM Animation has boarded animated feature comedy Molesworth to handle worldwide distribution sales, working with production studio Lupus Films, and producers Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding on production financing.
Based upon the best-selling series of boarding school books by Geoffrey Willans and illustrated by Ronald Searle, Molesworth tells the story of Nigel Molesworth, a self-confident, tousle-haired public school boy with a mischievous nature and a penchant for daydreams. The role will be voiced by Matt Lucas (Bridesmaids; Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland). It is a tale of adventure, mystery and just a touch of romance. But, it is mainly about the high japes he gets up to with his schoolfriends from St. Custards School for Boys as they go head-to-head at an Interschool Festival with the pupils from St Moderns School for Girls.
Pitched against each other there is much more at stake than a gold cup to gather dust in a trophy cabinet. St. Custards’ useless headmaster has gambled away the school funds and if new funds cannot be raised, the school will close. This could mean merging with the girls school. Luckily, Molesworth has another plan. He has discovered that there is a fabled treasure buried under the school. All he needs to do is get past the headteacher, his evil henchwoman Matron, the gangsters and the St. Custards crocodile…
The film will be directed by legendary animator Uli Meyer (Space Jam; Mary Poppins Returns; Chip ‘N’ Dale: Rescue Rangers) and produced by multi award-winning studio Lupus Films (Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding) and Melusine Productions (Stephan Roelants).
Lupus Films recently celebrated their 20th anniversary, during which time they have created high-quality entertainment for families worldwide, including The Snowman & The Snow Dog; We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; The Tiger Who Came to Tea; and the forthcoming feature adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, Kensuke’s Kingdom.
Bringing to life this much-loved character, using Uli Myer’s fabulous 2D skills and great script, creates a great adventure story that we’re confident will appeal to a modern audience worldwide. We are delighted to partner with Lupus Films. It’s great to be working with a proven British animation studio.
Sean Feeney, Head of Production at GFM Animation
The Molesworth series of books were among my favourites when I was growing up. The hilarious humour and wonderful illustrations by Ronald Searle cry out to be adapted as animation. We’ve always been great admirers of Uli Meyer’s work at Lupus Films so when he asked us to come on board this exciting project we jumped at the chance.
Camilla Deakin, Co-Founder of Lupus Films
It has been a lifelong dream to bring Geoffrey Willan’s and Ronald Searle’s iconic characters from the Molesworth books to life in an original story. Teaming up with Camilla and Ruth from Lupus Film was a no-brainer. As any fule kno…
Uli Meyer, Director of Molesworth
