‘Trouble’: Danny McBride Is Making An Animated Movie With Newly Launched Spire Animation
Danny McBridecan add animated movie filmmaker to his credentials — which already include actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer.The Righteous Gemstonesstar and creator is developing an animated movie titledTroublewithSpire Animation Studios, a newly launched studio fromRatatouilleproducerBrad Lewis.
Deadline reports that Danny McBride’s Rough House Pictures is partnering with Spire Animation Studios to develop an animated feature film calledTrouble.
Troublefollows “Jax, a 13-year-old who gets in trouble with his family, and is swept into a parallel reality known as the World of Trouble. Embarking on a whimsical adventure within this bizarre and fantastic world of chaotic adolescence, he makes new friends, reflects on his character and learns the value of self-forgiveness, all while trying to figure out how to get out of trouble, and get back home.”
McBride and Brad Lewis — a veteran of the animation industry who has produced hits likeRatatouille,How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, andThe Lego Batman Movieand who recently co-founded Spire Animation Studios — created the original story forTrouble, which will be written byKevin BarnettandChris Pappas(The Wrong Missy,The Do-Over). The film will be executive produced by Spire’sP.J. Gunsagar, along with Rough House Pictures’Brandon James.
No cast has yet been set, but it seems like the kind of Pixar-lite high concept adventure film that we’ve begun to see lately from competing animation studios. And Lewis' roots in Pixar, having also performed inThe Incrediblesand co-directedCars 2, shows in the story. What is the World of Trouble, exactly? A world where trouble and mischief gain sentient form? Who knows, but I guess we’ll find out.
“The idea of being in trouble is a universal fear we’ve all experienced growing up,” said McBride in a statement. “Being able to build out what that world could look like and exploring how we can make this an animated adventure with Brad and the team at Spire has been awesome.”
“Danny has such a unique sensibility and grasp of wonderfully irreverent characters, creating a story together is a dream come true,” added Lewis. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting intoTroubletogether, and bringing to life the three words kids all over the world fear…you’re in trouble.”
McBride has lent his voiced to animated films before likeDespicable Me,Kung Fu Panda 2, theAngry Birdmovies, and Netflix’s upcomingThe Mitchells vs. The Machines, but it’ll be interesting to see how he fares in crafting an animated feature. Meanwhile, Spire, which was co-founded last year by Lewis and Gunsagar, is also relatively untested, with only one other upcoming animated film on its slate: a musical calledCentury Goddess.
No cast or release date has yet been set forTrouble.
