"Garfield" Returns, Fully Animated, to the Big Screen
by GoComicsGarfield - a literal and metaphorical cartoon heavyweight - is no stranger to the limelight. Since the comic strip's debut in 1978, Garfield has appeared in animated TV series, primetime specials, hundreds of books, and two live-action movies, in addition to more than 2,100 daily newspapers.
On May 23, a few weeks before the comic strip's 38th birthday, Alcon Entertainment announced that it has secured the rights to produce a fully animated Garfield movie, which the company hopes will be the first in a franchise.
Garfield creator Jim Davis has signed on as executive producer. Also joining the team is John Cohen, producer of the successful franchise Despicable Me and the Angry Birds film.
"I've been so impressed with the quality of animation and storytelling coming out of Hollywood of late," Davis said. "I can't wait to get into production with the terrific team Alcon has assembled."
Alcon Entertainment has had a hand in financing and producing several notable films in recent years, including P.S. I Love You (2007), The Blind Side (2009), The Book of Eli (2010), and Prisoners (2013).