The filmmaker responsible for making James Marsden as a prince and Amy Adams as a fairy tale princess spring into song in Enchanted will be directing a movie about singing monkeys. DreamWorks Animation just announced Kevin Lima will direct the “Bollywood-style animated musical adventure” film, Monkeys of Mumbai.
The title could be changed prior to the film’s release – although I’m voting they keep it.
Lisa Stewart and Chris Chase are producing. Stephen Schwartz is the lyricist and A.R. Rahman (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, Bombay Dreams) is the film’s composer. Schwart and Rahman are also executive producing. The script is being written by Gurinder Chadha & Paul Berges (Bride & Prejudice, Bend It Like Beckham).
“Kevin is a brilliant director and someone we’ve long wanted to work with at DreamWorks Animation,” stated the studio’s Chief Creative Officer, Bill Damaschke. “We are thrilled to welcome him, Chris, and Lisa on board to round out the excellent creative leadership team on Monkeys of Mumbai.”
“Ever since Enchanted, I’ve been looking for a film musical and when DreamWorks Animation approached me with the prospect of doing a Bollywood musical with such renowned collaborators, I knew this was the one,” added Kevin Lima.
According to the press release, Monkeys of Mumbia is “inspired by the great Indian epic tale of The Ramayana – but retold through the point of view of its monkeys. Monkeys of Mumbai revolves around two common monkeys who become unlikely heroes in a last-ditch effort to stop an ancient, thought-to-be-mythical demon from conquering the world.”
