Dreamworks to do a spin on Ramayana with monkeys

[amazon980]

Just announced! Kevin Lima will direct DreamWorks Animation’s MONKEYS OF MUMBAI (working title) while Lisa Stewart & Chris Chase serve as Producers. Inspired by the Indian epic tale of The Ramayana – but retold through the point of view of its monkeys – MONKEYS OF MUMBAI revolves around 2 common monkeys who become unlikely heroes in an effort tostop an ancient demon from conquering the world http://ir.dreamworksanimation.com/relea ... eID=592888
Looks like it's going to be a musical

[Sotiris]

How many projects is Kevin Lima attached to anyway?

He's supposed to be directing:

The Incredible Mr. Limpet (remake) for Warner Bros
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=56233

Thumb for Warner again
http://digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a13 ... oject.html

Candy Land for Universal/Hasbro
http://collider.com/candy-land-jonathan ... ima/82902/

Avon Man for 20th Century Fox
http://www.internapse.com/news/2010/08/ ... -workouts/

Afterlife for Fox again
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00022400.html

And now he's directing Monkeys of Mumbai for DreamWorks Animation.

[toonaspie]

I hope this moves up in the production schedule. This and any future "Kung Fu Panda" sequels are looking to be on my most anticipated Dreamworks movies list.

[Sky Syndrome]

Oooh, I look forward to seeing the design of the ancient demon!

[TheValentineBros]

I wanna see that movie to see what the demon looks like too. It'll probably have a DreamWorks face.

[Warm Regards]

I know this is an old thread, but why make a new one if it already exists (kinda)?

So anyway, while I was video surfing, I came across this video on Vimeo. It from a couple of months ago but most people here probably didn't see it. The video is two parts of Nathan Carroll (a Canadian actor) just recording himself. The first part is a scene from the movie, where he plays acts as one character named Raj. The second part is so random though; he's just singing "Wild Ones" by Flo Rida...? Nice voice though. Hopefully not in the movie.

Oh, and the project's been renamed to "Bollywood Superstar Monkey."

More from TAG blog:

While I was on campus, a sequence of Bollywood Superstar Monkey were being finalized for a pitch.

Aaaannnd no one cares because it's not due 'til 2016.

[Linden]

A CG movie set in ancient India is pretty exciting. It just seems like a recipe for disaster to make a DreamWorks movie inspired by a sacred text. I'm surprised it got greenlit.

[Warm Regards]

It just seems like a recipe for disaster to make a DreamWorks movie inspired by a sacred text.

Prince of Egypt says hi.

But I understand that sentiment. For starters, it takes place in modern day India as opposed to the past. (Hence Bollywood Superstar Monkey.) Secondly, the Prince of Egypt used humans, and not talking animals. I understand the idea behind the monkeys, but still.

It could work, but they need to double down on research, less the movie offend people.

[estefan]

Well, DreamWorks did a pretty damn good job with respecting Chinese culture (and those were movies with Jack Black as a panda), so I have faith this will be pulled off.

[Linden]

It just seems like a recipe for disaster to make a DreamWorks movie inspired by a sacred text.

Prince of Egypt says hi.

I can't believe I forgot about The Prince of Egypt. But still, the tone for this seems completely different from Prince of Egypt, which was veeery careful and even reverent. This one is making big story changes. The name is/was (?) Bollywood Superstar Monkey. That really doesn't bode well for a respectful adaptation.

I like Kung Fu Panda. DreamWorks found a fanciful way to showcase Chinese culture, but at the same time feel grounded in it. But that's not based on anything I know of, certainly nothing held sacred by anyone.

I am excited about the music though. Steven Schwartz and A.R. Rahman? Yes please!

[Warm Regards]

Just some more marginal news.

Source: http://www.thewrap.com/glee-star-lea-mi ... od-musical

Lea Michele, Rohan Chand to Lead Voice Cast of DreamWorks Animation's Bollywood Musical (Exclusive)

The “Glee” star and “Bad Words” actor are nearing deals for Kevin Lima's animated movie

“Glee” star Lea Michele and talented child actor Rohan Chand (“Bad Words”) are nearing deals to voice two of the lead characters in DreamWorks Animation's musical “Bollywood Superstar Monkey,” multiple individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.

Representatives for DreamWorks Animation and Michele did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Kevin Lima, the “Enchanted” filmmaker who also directed Disney's “Tarzan,” signed on in July 2011 to direct from a script by Gurinder Chadha and Paul Berges, who previously co-wrote “Bend It Like Beckham” together.

DWA's first Bollywood-style animated musical adventure is loosely based on the “Ramayana,” an epic Indian tale about a man whose wife is kidnapped by a demon king.

Also read: Lea Michele Is Having a Breakdown in ‘Cannonball’ Music Video

Story follows monkey brothers Raj and Deepu, the latter of whom is younger and will be voiced by Chand. When Raj accidentally releases the ten-headed demon king Ravana from his enchanted sleep, the demon kidnaps Bollywood superstar Chandani. The unlikely sibling heroes then team up with Chandani's pet monkey Pinki and embark on a thrilling journey to rescue Chandani, save their city and defeat Ravana.

Michelle is in negotiations to voice the role of Pinki, though her deal has not closed yet.

Lisa Stewart and Chris Chase will produce, while A.R. Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”) and Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked”) are working on the film's music and lyrics, respectively.

Michele, who is best known for playing Rachel Berry on Fox's “Glee,” recently played Dorothy in “Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return” and appeared in Garry Marshall's ensemble comedy “New Year's Eve.” She also just released her first album, “Louder,” and has a book coming out next month titled “Brunette Ambition.” Michele is repped by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

Chand is a rising young star who currently stars opposite Jason Bateman in the raunchy comedy “Bad Words.” He got his start playing Adam Sandler's son in “Jack and Jill” and Damian Lewis’ student on Showtime's “Homeland.” Chand also shared scenes with Mark Wahlberg in Peter Berg's “Lone Survivor.” He'll soon be seen in DreamWorks’ adaptation of “The Hundred-Foot Journey.” He's repped by Coast to Coast Talent Group, Paradigm and attorney Derek Kroeger.

[ajmrowland]

Rahman and Schwartz? They're aiming high for the original songs.

[Warm Regards]

The movie has been set to come out March 10, 2017. And apparently renamed (again) back to "Mumbai Musical".