‘Clifford the Big Red Dog’ Animated/Live Action Adaptation Greenlit

Illumination Entertainment and Universal have announced the upcoming film adaption of Norman Birdwell’s classic children’s series, Clifford the Big Red Dog. THR reported that the film will use be a “live-action/animated hybrid”, which who knows what that exactly means at this point.

Matt Lopez is set to write the screenplay and will also make his directorial review with the film. He’s known for writing other family-friendly features like Bedtime Stories, Race to Witch Mountain and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Clifford is the everyone’s favorite 25-foot giant red dog that first came to children’s book pages in 1963. Since, he’s starred in his own book series an a popular PBS TV series in 2000. It makes sense that the film is set to be released in 2013 for Clifford’s 50th anniversary, but no official release date was given. A 2013 date seems possible since the majority of this film will most likely be live action, with a CGI Clifford.

While a relatively new studio, Illumination Entertainment rose to fame with the success of its 2010 hit, Despicable Me. With the recent success of its adaptation of Dr. Suess’ The Lorax, it’s no wonder that they are turning to other classic and well-loved characters to create their next film.

What do you think the “live action/animated hybird” Illumination will use for this film?