Rio Director Found Lurking in Cryptozoological Shadows
Steve Barton
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Monsters. Thanks to the success of Jurassic World, they’re white-hot right now; and that’s just fine with us. Lord knows the world needs more creature features. Speaking of which… THR is reporting that 20th Century Fox has struck a deal for Jason Micallef’s red-hot pitch titled Shadows, which will be directed by Rio and Ice Age helmer Carlos Saldanha.
Sources say the studio paid $750,000 against $1.5 million for the live-action/CGI monster project, which is set in the world of cryptozoology.
Underground, which manages Micallef, is producing alongside Saldanha. Underground took out Micallef’s 50-page document that lays out a three-film franchise on Tuesday night, and the film sparked heated interest. But Fox, which has a long relationship with animation veteran Saldanha, moved quickly. (Saldanha has a first-look deal with the studio.)
Fox sees the project as a franchise starter for its in-house helmer, who has directed the two Rio movies for the studio as well as three of the four Ice Age films. The first Rio earned $485 million worldwide for Fox Animation, while the sequel took in $500 million. The four Ice Ages also have been a mammoth hit for the studio, earning $2.8 million worldwide. A fifth Ice Age will be released on July 15, 2016.
Shadows is poised to be Saldanha’s live-action debut.
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