Conan 'toon planned

An animated film based on Robert E. Howard's "Red Nails" is in the works, according to the official Conan site:

Sherman Oaks, California-based Swordplay Entertainment Inc., has begun principal production on the animated feature film, CONAN: RED NAILS, based on the classic story by the best-selling fantasy author Robert E. Howard, a new 2D/3D animated feature film, targeting a 2006 release on video/DVD. New Line Home Entertainment has acquired all North American distribution rights to the animated feature film.

Cinema Management Group (CMG), an international sales company based in West Hollywood, headed by sales veteran Edward Noeltner, will be taking CONAN: RED NAILS to the Cannes Film Festival where it will be looking to set-up international pre-sales on the feature.

CONAN has previously been adapted into feature films, and television, but this is the first full-length animated feature film based on Conan the Cimmerian, a character Howard created in 1932.

The feature film is being directed by animation veteran Victor Dal Chele, (SPIDER-MAN, GHOSTBUSTERS, THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY QUEST, BUTT-UGLY MARTIANS and ROBOCOP: ALPHA COMMANDO). Comics, animation and superheroes expert Steve Gold is onboard as the film’s writer/producer while Larry Houston (THE X-MEN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, BATMAN: THE ANIMATED SERIES, HBO'S SPAWN and DISNEY'S GARGOYLES) is animation director.

CONAN: RED NAILS, one of Howard’s most famous stories, is both a sprawling epic and an equally engaging love story. When Conan and the female warrior Valeria, are betrayed in battle, they flee across harsh desert and trackless jungle only to confront the mystery and horror of a fabulous lost city. Conan becomes embroiled in a feud between the city’s factions, and must triumph over dragons, demons and a host of human and magical foes to end the war and win Valeria’s love.

“Steve Gold is an incredible cinematic storyteller, and renown Conan expert,” said producer Jonathan Bogner. “We’re all thrilled at this opportunity to bring his vision of Conan to life and work with some of the best artists in the world.”

Gold and Dal Chele have assembled an impressive team of award-winning visual artists and tapped legendary illustrator Michael Kaluta as the key concept designer for the film.

“Michael has been associated with CONAN and the works of Robert E. Howard for more than 30 years. He brings an amazing scope and pedigree to the film,” said Dal Chele.

Mark Schultz (CADILLACS & DINOSAURS) who recently illustrated THE COMING OF CONAN THE CIMMERIAN: VOLUME 1 for publishing house Ballentine and Del Ray, will add additional concept designs, as will leading fantasy painter and book cover artist, Donato Giancola. Greg Horn, a longtime Conan fan, and a hot young artist for comics and videogames will also be contributing artwork for the project.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with the creative and business teams we’ve assembled for this film. We all feel a tremendous respect and responsibility to the Conan franchise and Conan’s legions of fans around the world,” said Gold. “This is going to be an incredible ride!” he added.

1 comment:

  1. Hi , if anyone's interested in the Conan animated film , comics etc. join us over at The Robert E Howard Comics Group
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheREHcomicsgroup/

    Cheers

    Terry

    ReplyDelete