The newly formed Underneath the Umbrella Productions, created by Goodman Pictures and director Tim Johnson, has acquired the rights to adapt the comics “BC” and “The Wizard of Id” and the fantasy novel “The Book of Dan Cow” into animation.
Johnson will co-write, produce and direct the animated version of “Wizard of Ido,” the first film in this new venture. Tom Astle will co-write the screenplay.
Created in 1964 by artist Johnny Hart, “The Wizard of the Id” depicts a group of characters living in a fantasy medieval kingdom, has been published in more than 1,000 newspapers worldwide, and won the National Cartoonists Guild Award for Best Humor Strip five times. “BC” by the same author was first published as a daily comic in 1958. The strip, which explores the lives of a group of prehistoric cavemen and their anthropomorphic animals and dinosaurs, has been in production for nearly 70 years and is currently maintained by the Hart family.
Under the Umbrella has secured the rights to “Wizard of Ido” and “B.C.” from Patti Hart of John Hurt Studios, who will direct her father’s legacy. The rights to The Book of the Dun Cow, an all-animal cast set in an alternate timeline where humans have never existed, were secured from Ruthann M. Wangerin, author Walter Wangerin Jr.’s trustee and widow.
“This is a dream project,” Johnson said. “As a boy, I learned to draw by tracing original comics by Johnny Hart and Brant Parker. I grew up with the timeless humor of The Wizard of the Id. Similar to my experience directing Over the Hedge, I believe that The Wizard’s rich characters and sharp wit have great potential to create a family film that will appeal to many generations and cultures. I’m thrilled to be teaming up with Tom Astle on this new film project.”
Joe Goodman, CEO of Goodman Pictures, added: “When something has been read by millions of people every day around the world for decades, it means more than just popularity; it means cultural permanence. These attributes have already proven their staying power. Our goal is to turn it into a film that families will return to for generations.”
