First order of business, it’s been confirmed that Fox Searchlight, not 20th Century Fox will be handling Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”
Some thought we were being too negative when we said the film was “downgraded,” and as much as we love Searchlight — much more than Fox proper which tends to make broader pictures for more fare weather movie fans — it is a sizeable millions of dollars difference since one aims wide and one aims niche (unless every FS pic is going to be a ‘Slumdog’ which seems unlikely even for their awesome batting average). This is obvious, no?
Secondly, is McDonald’s going to be involved? Via the L.A. Times:
Although details are still being finalized on three additional Fox movies, the [Twentieth Century Fox] pact with the chain is expected to include director Wes Anderson’s animated comedy “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” which will be released in November, and James Cameron’s sci-fi action thriller “Avatar” and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” both coming out in December.
However, since ‘Mr. Fox’ is now Searchlight, does that nullify the McHappy Meal deal? Could be, no?
Lastly, is the release date — currently scheduled for November 13 release — changing once again because Searchlight is now onboard? The devotee fanblog, Rushmore Academy hints that a date change could happen. Do they know something everyone else doesn’t? Or is this just pure speculation. “Fantastic Mr. Fox” features the voice work of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Angelica Huston and Owen Wilson (who’s apparently there for just a second), Michael Gambon, Willem Dafoe, Adrien Brody, Jarvis Cocker, Wes Anderson himself and potentially a few more unannounced/unconfirmed names (Roman Coppola for one is rumored).
