What We Do In the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople director Taika Waititi has lined up his next project after Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, with the filmmaker signing on to direct a stop motion animated film about Michael Jackson’s pet chimp Bubbles.
“It’s an idea that fascinates me and one I want to develop further,” said Waititi (via Screen Daily). “Most people know I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan, so the main thing for me is to make sure it’s respectful of him and his legacy. I’m not interested in making a biopic; I want to focus on telling a story that blends fact and fantasy, about an animal trying to make sense of the world.”
“This film is not about Michael Jackson because that’s not a story for me to tell – or a story I’d be comfortable telling – it’s about a chimpanzee’s fascinating journey through the complex jungle of human life,” he continued. “I think animation is the only way to approach a story like this. I really loved Anomalisa because it was beautiful and authentic in its meditation on loneliness. I’m really excited to be working with Dan Harmon and Starburns as we share similar sensibilities and want to tell human stories in unique and artistic ways.”
Waititi is set to work on Bubbles alongside co-director Mark Gustafon, animation director on Fantastic Mr. Fox, while Dan Harmon’s Starburns Industries – the team behind the Oscar-nominated Anomalisa – handling the animation.
Originally published February 12, 2017. Updated April 15, 2018.
