Being a huge Monty Python fan (Life of Brian is still on my top 10 favorite movies list), the news that EPIX is in production on a film based on the late Graham Chapman’s memoir, A Liar’s Autobiography, was met with a short but passionate cheer. Filming on the animated 3D movie is currently taking place with EPIX aiming for a Spring of 2012 release in 2D and 3D on EPIX, EpixHD.com, and theatrically in the UK.
The EPIX original will feature recordings Chapman made of his book in 1982. Premiering under the newly introduced EPIX Pictures banner, the film reunites members of the Monty Python troupe.
“This innovative and modern take on Chapman’s comic genius is an exciting event, and EPIX is thrilled to premiere A Liar’s Autobiography in the United States,” stated EPIX President and CEO Mark Greenberg.
“I had no idea until recently that Graham Chapman is in fact dead — I thought he was just being lazy,” said Monty Python’s Terry Jones. “However, I am now delighted to find myself working with him again on this exciting project.”
The feature is being produced and directed with that trademark Python humor by Bill Jones, Ben Timlett and Jeff Simpson of London-based Bill and Ben Productions, responsible for Who Killed Nancy, Rebel Truce – The History of the Clash, Chemical Wedding, Monty Python Almost the Truth: the Lawyers Cut.
“We’ve been working closely with the Chapman estate and the Pythons to make sure we get this exactly right,” said co-director Jeff Simpson. “Graham would be delighted that his work is being re-imagined in glorious 3D. He always loved wearing silly glasses.”
Executive producers Mark Sandell of Trinity (UK) and Meyer Shwarzstein of Brainstorm Media will distribute the animated feature in the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.
The British comedy group Monty Python is best known for their television comedy sketch show Monty Python’s Flying Circus, which first aired on BBC in 1969. The series was created, written, and performed by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. The troupe brought their comedy to the big screen with the feature films And Now for Something Different (1971), Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979), and Monty Python’s the Meaning of Life (1983).
