Chris Sanders Returns To Dreamworks To Direct ‘The Wild Robot’
Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon director Chris Sanders has returned to Dreamworks, where he will direct the feature The Wild Robot. Sanders last directed the live-action film The Call of the Wild (2020), featuring Harrison Ford and a coterie of cg animals.
Here’s what we currently know about the film:
- The film is an adaptation of Peter Brown’s bestselling illustrated book of the same name. The publisher has described Brown’s original book as “Wall-E meets [Newbery Honor-winning novel] Hatchet.”
- In addition to directing, Sanders is adapting the screenplay. Jeff Hermann (The Boss Baby: Family Business) is producer. Sanders’ frequent co-directing partner Dean DeBlois will executive produce the film.
- Official synopsis: “When Rozzum 7134 (“Roz” for short), a robot designed for a futuristic urban world, finds herself washed ashore on a deserted island, a tale of survival and discovery begins when she becomes the unexpected protector to an orphaned gosling, which she names Brightbill. Together they struggle to survive the harsh environment, but only succeed with the help of a close-knit group of misfit animals, who become first friends, then family. Ultimately Roz and company save the island from a robotic invasion by Roz’s manufacturer, looking to bring her back to civilization by any means necessary. In the process she becomes something much more than she was programmed to be, a wild robot.”
- Dreamworks says the film has a deeper message about how anyone has the power to “exceed their programming” and “celebrates what it means to be wild and alive, and how cooperation is the key to survival in a harsh world.”
- Raymond Zibach (Kung Fu Panda franchise) is handling production design of Wild Robot, and Heidi Jo Gilbert (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) serves as head of story. Mary Blee (The Boss Baby: Family Business) is editor.
Head of story Heidi Jo Gilbert elaborated on the film’s themes in a recent series of tweets:
And I can’t help but think…when in the history of animation has there been an animated movie celebrating what it means to be a mom. And how did this adaptation collide with me at the time that I needed it the most?
— Heidi Jo Gilbert (@heidijogilbert) September 28, 2023
Wild Robot for me, has become this thing where I can put all of the unexpressed love that I have for her. I hope that whenever those of you who knew her are able to finally see it, that you feel that, and think of Patti.
— Heidi Jo Gilbert (@heidijogilbert) September 28, 2023
Because for me personally, this journey has been all about crafting a love letter for her that can live on forever. I can’t thank Chris Sanders and Jeff Hermann enough for giving me this space and opportunity to be a part of this beautiful movie. ♥️
— Heidi Jo Gilbert (@heidijogilbert) September 28, 2023