Studiocanal Launches New Feature ‘Around the World’

Around the World, a $20 million production inspired by the Jules Verne classic Around the World in Eighty Days, is being sold at the Cannes film market. Studiocanal (Paddington, Early Man) is handling all rights including international sales.

Written by Gerry Swallow (Ice Age: The Meltdown, Ratchet & Clank), the film is an animal-centric version of the Verne novel, with a marmoset and a scheming frog attempting to accomplish the feat. Per the synopsis:

Passepartout is a young and scholarly marmoset who always dreamt of becoming an explorer. One day, he crosses paths with Phileas, a reckless and greedy frog, eager to take on a bet to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days and earn 10 million clams in the process. Seizing the opportunity of a lifetime to explore the world, Passepartout embarks with his new friend on a crazy and exhilarating adventure full of twists and surprises.

Currently in pre-production, Around the World will mark the feature debut of director Samuel Tourneux, who earned an Oscar nom in 2008 for the short Even Pigeons Go to Heaven. Cottonwood Media is producing the film, with animation to be handled by French studio Circus and Belgian outfit Mac Guff Ligne. (Mac Guff is not to be confused with Ilumination Mac Guff, which is another studio owned by Universal that animates all of Ilumination’s animated films like The Grinch and Despicable Me films.)

David Michel, Zoé Carrera Allaix, and Cécile Lauritano will produce for Cottonwood.

“This is a very strong package, not least thanks to Gerry Swallow’s work on Ice Age, the brilliant Mac Guff Ligne, and an Oscar-winning director,” StudioCanal head of sales Anne Chérel told Deadline, which first reported the story. “We’ve had very good feedback already. It’s a very funny project.”