Warner Bros. is developing a feature film based on the Looney Tunes character Marvin the Martian. Daily Variety reports that the film will mix CG animation and live action. Alcon Ent.’s Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove are producing with former Warner Bros. exec Steve Crystal through his Charlie Co.
Created by animation legend Chuck Jones, Marvin the Martian is a diminutive alien clad in a Roman soldier’s garb and bent on destroying Earth because it obstructs his view of Venus. The character was introduced in the 1948 cartoon short Haredevil Hare and commonly appeared opposite Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. He was originally voiced by Mel Blanc. In recent years, veteran toon actor Joe Alaskey voiced the character in the Cartoon Network animated series Duck Dodgers and the 2007 DVD special Bah Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas.
The movie was reportedly pitched as a family holiday story that has Marvin travel to Earth to ruin Christmas, only to be packed up in a gift box and become part of the holiday festivities.
Alcon’s previous family pics include My Dog Skip and the CG/live-action blend Racing Stripes. The company has raised $550 million in private funding. Warner Bros. is on board to distribute 15 movies produced by over the next five years, the next being the chick flick sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, opening Aug. 6.
