Earlier this week, Illumination Entertainment announced that they are going to produce a CGI remake of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which will be directed by Pete Candeland.
This will be the third movie based off of the classic children’s story. The most popular version is the 1966 TV special by Chuck Jones, which was certified 100% fresh by Rotten Tomatoes (which, as we all know is a very difficult honor that only Toy Story seems able to make.) The creepy, Jim Kerry live-action version released in 2000 on the other hand, is rotten and is a movie that most of us try to forget.
This news has been met with mixed results. While it wouldn’t take much to create a movie better then the Jim Carrey version, how could Illumination ever top the TV special that many of us hold so near and dear to our hearts? On the other hand, Illumination released Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax last year, which was met with fairly positive reviews. And I haven’t met a person who hasn’t liked Despicable Me, another film by Illumination.
Illumination Entertainment CEO Chris Meledandri will be producing, and hopefully, he should know how to adapt a Dr. Seuss book as he has much experience. He has already helped to produce Horton Hears a Who with Fox Studios and The Lorax. (Does someone like Dr. Seuss much?)
Audrey Geisel, Dr. Seuss’ widow, will be the executive producer, and hopefully she will have a great emotional attachment to her husband’s story, and will ensure that it will stay loyal to the original tale.
Illumination is also set to release a ridiculous amount of other Dr. Seuss movies. The company is also developing a “Cat in the Hat” adaptation and a live-action Dr. Seuss biopic, which is yet to be titled.
What do you think of Illumination recreating The Grinch? And why do you think that Illumination seems to be sticking with Dr. Seuss- related tales rather than producing original work? There are so many questions! Illumination, what are you doing to us?
Source: Variety