Reel FX’s next film…is not Jorge Gutierrez’s anticipated kung fu space western. Rather, it is a project that has been in development for quite some time, but has me intrigued nonetheless.
The studio (via press release) announced development on Wish Police, a fantasy/supernatural adventure film based on the novella of the same name by Daniel Nayeri and directed by the Spanish trio of Adrian Garcia, Alfredo Torres, and Victor Maldonado (collectively known as Headless). Torres and Maldonado will work on the film in-house at Reel FX’s Dallas and Santa Monica facilities.
Targeted for a late 2017/early 2018 release, Wish Police takes place in a world where the bad wishes of children come to life as villainous entities and a secret organization known (of course) as The Wish Police are tasked with protecting the world from these types of threats.
The organization is led by Saul, an “ex-genie determined to atone for centuries of granting his masters’ evil wishes” and Kong a “wise-cracking monkey and royal pain in the leg.” Both of them are forced to break their personal rules and team up with a 12-year-old named Randy to stop the most powerful wish villain ever, summoned from a really bad wish made by Randy.
For Headless, the project will mark their first major English animated feature. Accompanying the trio is a stable of top talent assembled by Reel FX, including production executive Kirk Bodyfelt (one of the founding members of Sony Pictures Animation), Annie Award-nominated production designer Patrick Hanenberger (Rise of the Guardians) and art director Margaret Wuller (How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods). Hanenberger and Wuller – who both hail from their art studio The Neuland – will lead the visual development of the film along with Headless.
As part of the press release Reel FX unveiled its first piece of concept art for the film, which you can see here:
“We couldn’t be happier to unveil a glimpse of the unique visual style of Wish Police,” said director Victor Maldonado. “We think our color palette and character designs — which you see only a hint of here — feel fresh and unexpected. We want to create a film whose visuals are as moving as its story.”
Reel FX Chairman and CEO Steve O’ Brien adds here: ““From the beginning, Reel FX has been passionate about this project — execs and crew alike immediately connected with the story and style. It’s our goal to be a home for filmmakers with unique voices, and Wish Police is no exception.”
While this project doesn’t have me at attention the same way that Gutierrez’s kung fu space western does, I am nonetheless interested in how it shapes out. I like the premise, as it fits with Reel FX’s newfound goal of filling the niche for high-concept, action-y genre material in feature animation. Mark me curious about this one.
What do you think? Are you looking forward to Wish Police?
Edited by: Hannah Wilkes
