GFM Animation has partnered with Larry Kasanoff’s Threshold Entertainment and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment on the project, based on the most prolific TV show in history for finding vocal superstars, with pre-production starting this year and CG animation starting 2024.
GFM Animation has partnered with Larry Kasanoff’s Threshold Entertainment and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment for animated feature film X Factor in the Jungle, based on Cowell’s singing competition series The X Factor. The series has run for 20 years with 178 international adaptations, selling more than 500 million records worldwide, making it the most prolific TV show in history for finding chart superstars. Artists discovered include One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis and James Arthur.
In the upcoming film, a karaoke machine is tossed overboard from a sinking boat and lands in a jungle. The item is quickly seized by a diminutive mouse who is challenged by both a Jaguar and Rhino, who each want it. A sing off ensues, attracting a huge audience of animals and creatures who demand a song contest for all.
Written by Sean Catherine Derek (Batman animated series, Tarzan Jane, Smurfs, Pac-Man) and helmed by long-time Disney director Kirk Wise (Beauty & The Beast, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Atlantis: The Lost Empire), Threshold partner Jimmy Ienner (85 Golden and Platinum albums, multiple Grammys and 2 Oscars) will manage the music collaboration together with Cowell. Kasanoff (Dirty Dancing, Terminator 2, Platoon, Mortal Kombat) produces.
GFM Animation Chairman Guy Collins said, "It’s a great opportunity for GFM Animation to work with such an iconic IP that is known literally worldwide and with Larry, Jimmy and Simon. It promises and will deliver a great cinematic experience for all age groups who love music and fun. The budget will enable top level voice casting and music collaboration fitting for this movie."
Cowell stated, “I have loved this idea since I first was approached by Larry and the team at Threshold and I’m delighted GFM Animation love it too. We all share the same vision for this fun, positive, family-friendly movie and of course I’m equally really excited for the soundtrack too. I've always wanted to make animated movies and I plan for this to be the first of many!”
Kasanoff added, "Our team is looking forward to creating this great musical blast based on this great TV show that is a true universal hit and working closely with Simon – a true legend."
Pre-production starts this year with CG animation starting 2024 for distribution in 2026.
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