For Redwall! The Redwall series by Brian Jacques is being adapted by Netflix, thanks to a deal with Penguin Random House UK that includes the rights to the entire series of books, which will lead to both feature and series adaptations.
The Redwall series follows the heroic, anthropomorphic animals that reside in Redwall Abbey, which is itself located within a medieval-style realm. The first book, Redwall, was originally published in 1986, and the series was ultimately comprised of twenty-two novels that have been translated into over 20 languages, selling more than 30 million copies. The final book in the series, The Rogue Crew, was published posthumously in May 2011, after Jacques died in February of that year.
As part of the agreement between Random House Children’s UK and Netflix, a feature film is already being developed, with Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall) attached as writer. In addition to the feature film, a series based on the character of Martin the Warrior is also in development.
While this is the first time the Redwall series will be adapted into a feature, the books have been previously been adapted into an animated series, with three seasons of an animated adaptation of the first three novels, Redwall, Mattimeo, and Martin the Warrior produced by Nelvana, a Canada-based animation studio, and aired from 1999 to 2002.
According to the press release from Netflix, which you can read in its entirety below, representative of The Redwall Company (which owns Jacques’ intellectual property) Alan Ingram noted that Jacques would frequently travel the globe to share his stories with young readers. I can personally attest to this fact, as one of my treasured memories is seeing Jacques prove that he had memorized the first page of Redwall by way of a passionate, book-free recitation.
The annoucement makes Redwall the latest to join the growing ranks of Netflix’s forthcoming animated offerings, which also include a musical adaptation of The Witch Boy as well as an adaptation of Bone.
Will you be checking out the Redwall adaptations on Netflix? Which of the books in the seminal series are you hoping makes it to the streaming screen? Let The Beat know in the comment section and on social media @comicsbeat!
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S UK AND NETFLIX ANNOUNCE
RIGHTS DEAL FOR BRIAN JACQUES’ REDWALL BOOKS
Netflix to Develop Redwall Feature Film and Series Based on the Books
Brian Jacques’ Redwall book series will be reimagined on screen thanks to a rights deal between Penguin Random House Children’s UK and Netflix.
Chronicling the adventures of the heroic animals that inhabit the forest haven of Redwall Abbey, the Redwall books have sold in excess of 30 million copies and been translated into more than 20 languages.
A feature film based on Jacques’ first book in the series, Redwall is currently in development with writer Patrick McHale (Over the Garden Wall, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio), as well as an event series based on the character of Martin the Warrior.
The deal marks the first time that the film rights to the entire book series have been held by the same company and the first time a feature film of any of Jacques’ works will be made.
“We couldn’t be more delighted to announce this deal,” says Ben Horslen, Fiction Publisher, Penguin Random House Children’s. “These perennially popular stories have been etched onto the hearts of millions of readers, and we are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring those beloved characters on screen for families worldwide to enjoy.”
“Brian often travelled the globe to tell his Redwall stories to young audiences, more often than not at their schools,” says Alan Ingram, representative of The Redwall Abbey Company (owner of Jacques’ intellectual property), “Brian would have been very happy to see that Netflix shares his joy and desire to bring his stories to life as a new universe of films, series and potentially much more for audiences of all ages to enjoy. We are very excited to embark on this new endeavour with Netflix and Penguin Random House UK.”
Redwall joins Netflix’s fast growing original slate of animated features which includes Academy Award nominated Klaus, Kris Pearn’s The Willoughbys, Oscar winner Glen Keane’s Over the Moon; as well as the Fall 2021 comedy Back to the Outback, Richard Linklater’s Apollo 10 ½: A Space Age Adventure, Chris Williams’ The Sea Beast, Henry Selick’s Wendell & Wild, Nora Twomey’s My Father’s Dragon, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Wendy Rogers’ The Magician’s Elephant, Minkyu Lee’s The Witch Boy, and an Aardman sequel to Chicken Run.
