Beloved Bunny Character Peter Rabbit Brought to Life in Live-Action Movie by Author Beatrix Potter
In the heart of England's Lake District, the filmmakers of the latest adaptation of Beatrix Potter's beloved character, Peter Rabbit, paid homage to the Potter legacy. This picturesque part of the English countryside was where Potter lived and found immense inspiration for her work.
With over 400 people working tirelessly on the project, ideas flowed freely. John Moffat, General Manager for the National Trust's Beatrix Potter places, highlights that Potter left a significant legacy to the National Trust, including her farms, land, artwork, and Hill Top, her home.
The film, directed by Will Gluck, features a war between Peter Rabbit and Mr. Thomas McGregor over a vegetable garden. Mr. McGregor, the great-nephew of Old Mr. McGregor, is the new owner of the garden. The voices of the animals in the film, including Peter Rabbit, were dubbed by a star-studded cast, including James Corden, Sia, Matt Berry, and Sarah Mullervy, among others.
Will Gluck, known for creating projects that resonate with popular culture, partnered with Zareh Nalbandian's Animation and VFX studio, Animal Logic, for the film. The production ran parallel animation and live-action units during principal photography, a unique approach that allowed editors to cut scenes while the film was still being shot, and storyboard artists to draw over the cut scenes to represent the animals.
The animation was overseen by producer Zareh Nalbandian and his company Animal Logic, which has previously produced animated hits like The Lego Movie and Happy Feet. The filmmakers worked closely with the publishers at Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, a division of Penguin Random House, which has published Beatrix Potter's Original Peter Rabbit Books™ since 1902.
Peter Rabbit, a mischievous character depicted in a traditional style but with a contemporary twist, is brought to life by Corden's voice. The film also features a number of characters created by author and illustrator Beatrix Potter, including Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, Benjamin Bunny, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr. Jeremy Fisher, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and others.
Susan Bolsover, director of licensing and consumer products for Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd, believes that the Peter Rabbit™ movie will connect with 2018 audiences in a similar way that the book did for readers in 1902. The film combines animation with live-action, aiming to make audiences forget they are watching an animated film, as Gluck intended for the animation to feel real.
The film also stars Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley as the triplets, and David Wenham and Sam Neill, with Neill providing the voice for Tommy Brock, the badger. Rob Lieber, a writer and producer who worked on Disney's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and ABC's The Goldbergs, also contributed to the film.
Gluck discovered the great blessing and curse of animation: you can always change it, as anyone can suggest improvements to the scene even after it has been animated. This collaborative approach resulted in a film that honours the Potter legacy while appealing to modern audiences.
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