According to The Hollywood Reporter, French Director Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita) plans to make two sequels to his upcoming CG/live-action feature, Arthur and the Minimoys, which will be released this December. The film trilogy is based on Besson’s series of children’s books about a 10-year-old boy who stumbles into a secret world populated by tiny people.
With a budget of around $80 million, Arthur and the Minimoys will be the most expensive European animated feature to date. Produced by Besson’s EuropaCorp, the film will chronicle Arthur’s attempts to save his grandmother’s home from being demolished by seeking his grandfather’s treasure, which is hidden in the land of the Minimoys. With the help of Princess Selenia and her brother, Betameche, Arthur encounters a string of adventures on his way to the forbidden city ruled by the evil M the Malicious. The voice cast features Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Mia Farrow, Freddie Highmore and David Bowie.
The Weinstein Co. will handle distribution of the first film in English-speaking territories, and has an option to pick up the sequels as well. The second and third installments are slated to begin production this fall. Atari is developing a video game based on Minimoys and will release it in conjunction with the movie’s North American release.
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