A Glimpse at Andy Serkis' 'Animal Farm' Unveils Seth Rogen's Leading Yard Character
The anticipated animated adaptation of George Orwell's "Animal Farm", directed by Andy Serkis, is set to premiere next week at the Annecy Animated Film Festival. This new CG version of the classic novella, set for release in 2025, offers a fresh perspective on the original story with contemporary twists.
## A New Beginning
The film begins with an elderly boar named Old Major inspiring his fellow farm animals to rebel against their human owner, Mr. Jones, and take over the farm, renaming it "Animal Farm". However, the manipulative pig Napoleon soon drives out his rival Snowball and assumes control, violating the principles meant to prevent the animals from mimicking human culture.
New characters are introduced, including a young piglet named Lucky, who serves as the audience surrogate, and a young border collie named Jessie, who must confront Napoleon after he takes away her pups. The farm faces a new threat from a neighboring billionaire's construction plans, forcing Lucky to decide between loyalty to Napoleon or the interests of the animal community.
## A Different Approach
In contrast to the original political satire, the animated adaptation is described as an "adventure comedy", suggesting a softer tone and potentially a broader appeal, possibly to younger audiences. Director Andy Serkis has been noted for softening the original's harsh themes to make it more accessible as a family animation.
The film incorporates contemporary issues from the 2020s, such as the threat of external development and the struggle against corruption, which are relevant to modern audiences but may not be as directly tied to the original political commentary.
## New Faces and Familiar Names
The film introduces new characters, such as Lucky and Jessie, who are central to the adaptation's narrative and themes. These characters serve to engage a new audience and provide fresh perspectives on the classic story. The cast includes Andy Serkis himself, Woody Harrelson, Glenn Close, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, Jim Parsons, Kathleen Turner, and Iman Vellani. Seth Rogen voices Napoleon, while Gaten Matarazzo voices Lucky.
The official synopsis for the film mentions power struggles among infamous characters, promising a riveting narrative that stays true to the original themes of rebellion and corruption. The initial plan for the adaptation was a motion-capture production, but the finished product is CG animated instead. The animated adaptation of "Animal Farm" was first revealed in 2012.
While the 2025 "Animal Farm" retains the core rebellion and corruption themes of the original, it updates the narrative to appeal to a broader audience and incorporates contemporary issues, making it a distinct interpretation of Orwell's classic. The film is a must-watch for both fans of the original and newcomers to the story.
The upcoming animated adaptation of "Animal Farm" is set to air on Gizmodo's Movies-and-TV section, capitalizing on the technological advancements in CG animation and Andy Serkis' directorial prowess to bring the future of animation to viewers. The film's unique blend of adventure comedy, contemporary themes, and a star-studded cast is expected to appeal to audiences across various age groups, with prominent names like Iman Vellani, Steve Buscemi, Laverne Cox, and Seth Rogen contributing. As the film delves into the fresh perspectives offered by new characters like Lucky and Jessie, it promises to be an engaging adaptation that will captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the classic story of Animal Farm. Io9, being a hub for entertainment and science-fiction content, is also likely to feature news and insights about this exciting venture into the world of animated television.
