TORONTO – Kids and family entertainment company WildBrain announced today it has signed a first look deal with producer Bonnie Arnold (above).
“Academy Award- and BAFTA-nominated Arnold will spearhead numerous episodic projects, TV specials and features for WildBrain,” a press release says. “Initial projects include Which Way to Anywhere (below), the latest novel from Cressida Cowell, the bestselling author of the How to Train Your Dragon series, as well as Cowell’s beloved Emily Brown picture books. WildBrain has exclusively optioned both properties from Cowell.”
Arnold produced three How to Train Your Dragon movies for DreamWorks Animation. “The Dragons film franchise has grossed more than US $1.6 billion worldwide,” the press release says.
“Cowell’s newest work, Which Way to Anywhere, was published in September 2022 by Hachette Children’s Group and immediately shot to the top of the Children’s and YA Fiction bestsellers lists in the UK.”
Emily Brown is a five-volume series illustrated by Neal Layton, which “follows Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, as they embark on intrepid adventures to help others,” according to the release. Hachette Children’s Group has sold it worldwide.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’ve reunited Bonnie Arnold with Cressida Cowell for two terrific new projects at WildBrain,” said Eric Ellenbogen, CEO at WildBrain.
“Bonnie is a treasure in the world of animation, combining not only outstanding creative and storytelling vision, but also a keen commercial sensibility. Given her stewardship of the Dragons franchise, there’s no one better to bring Cressida’s splendid new novel, Which Way to Anywhere, to life on screen. Welcoming a producer of Bonnie’s exceptional taste and experience into the WildBrain fold will further elevate our creative slate both in scope and ambition.”
“I love the unconventional characters and exciting worlds that Cressida creates,” Arnold said. “I’m thrilled to be working with her again on such a fresh and imaginative story. Which Way to Anywhere has all the right ingredients—comedy, heart and a little bit of magic too. WildBrain is an ideal partner for this and Emily Brown. Eric and the wonderful team at WildBrain Studios have so much experience creating outstanding family programming. I look forward to working with them in bringing these and other captivating stories that I am passionate about to the screen.”
“I have worked with Bonnie Arnold for over a decade with the How to Train Your Dragon movies: she’s a powerhouse of creativity and commercial instinct. I’m delighted to be partnering with her and the ambition, imagination and vision of WildBrain to bring Which Way to Anywhere and Emily Brown to screen,” Cowell said.
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Image and photo supplied by WildBrain.
