Yogi Bear feature in the works, BUT....

Silverstar · #1 10-02-2008, 08:57 AM

I wasn't sure where to put this; I figured since it's about a classic toon, I'd put it in the Retro Forum, but if it's not appropriate here, mods, please feel free to move it. Anywho...

According to the Big Cartoon Database, there's a Yogi Bear feature in the works, but there's a catch...

Quote:

In a renewed effort to mine Jellystone Park, Warner Bros. is planning a live-action/animated Yogi Bear film, The Hollywood Reporter said Wednesday night.

Yogi Bear and his little pal Boo Boo will be depicted in computer-generated animation, but much of the film will be live-action, the trade paper reported. The hybrid will be similar in concept to Fox's 2007 hit Alvin And The Chipmunks.

The famed Hanna-Barbera series was first brought to the big screen by its original studion for 1964's Hey There, It's Yogi Bear.Hanna-Barbera Productions' first full-length feature film was a great success, playing regularly in Saturday matinees for years after its release.

This time around, Ash Brannon, co-producer and co-writer of Sony Pictures Animation's Surf's Up(2007), is attached to direct. Brannon has also worked on such hit Pixar features as A Bug's Life(1998) and Toy Story 2(1999).

The screenplay is being written by That '70s Show executive producers Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia, who are also writing the feature film Tooth Fairy for Fox.

Donald De Line is producing the Yogi Bear feature through his De Line Pictures. Karen Rosenfelt is also producing the movie, with Jon Berg supervising for Warner Bros.

Well.

Live-action and CGI, 2 things that no one wants to hear in any film starring a classic cartoon star. But this may actually stand a slim chance of working, given that Yogi was originally done in limited animation. It really depends on the script and how Yogi and Boo-Boo will be rendered.

Zen Man · #2 10-02-2008, 09:06 AM

Meh on the computer generated animation, but it looks like Jellystone's most famous resident is about to make a big comeback.

Interesting.

Tobias · #3 10-02-2008, 09:49 AM

As long as they stay away from the toilet humor (Like the scene in A&TC when Alvin eat's Theodore's leavings), I'm all for a Yogi feature film.

Blackstar · #4 10-02-2008, 11:30 AM

Hmm...I don't know. 2-Foot tall CGI chipmunks frolicking across the screen seems cute, but a 6-foot tall CGI bear with a green hat and a matching tie interacting with live action humans might not be so cute, but of course, that's a better idea than just dressing some actor in a bad bear costume.

The other issue is story. How does one stretch a plot about Yogi stealing pic-a-nic baskets into an hour and a half?

This will either be the next Alvin and the Chipmunks or the next Rocky & Bullwinkle.

**Jave** · #5 10-02-2008, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar

The other issue is story. How does one stretch a plot about Yogi stealing pic-a-nic baskets into an hour and a half?

Well, Yogi has already starred in plenty of 90-minute films, so the plot is really the last thing I'll worry about. I'm just concerned that they'll probably squeeze in as much toilet humor as possible, like they did with Scooby-Doo. (Which wasn't any more or less cuter as Yogi and Boo Boo could be)

And Adam Sandler as Ranger Smith

EDIT: Thread mirrored at Entertainment since this is primarily live-action.

Tobias · #6 10-02-2008, 12:01 PM

Sandler as Smith? No, just... no. I'd rather have someone tolerable in the role. I just can't picture Ranger Smith talking in baby language, then getting abrubtly verbally abusive towards everyone.

The ideal Ranger Smith would be none other than Luke Wilson.

**Jave** · #7 10-02-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias

Sandler as Smith? No, just... no. I'd rather have someone tolerable in the role. I just can't picture Ranger Smith talking in baby language, then getting abrubtly verbally abusive towards everyone.

The ideal Ranger Smith would be none other than Luke Wilson.

Yeah, I know, I was just joking. But knowing Hollywood, I wouldn't be surprised if they're actually considering it.

Cartoonlover · #8 10-02-2008, 03:18 PM

Live-action Yogi? NO!

Taco Wiz · #9 10-02-2008, 03:43 PM

What's the point in making a movie based off a TV show that hasn't been seen in ages? The only reason the Alvin and The Chipmunks movie was successful is because of the band, and that movie sucked. I'm betting that this and the Smurfs movie will both bomb.

**Atoon** · #10 10-02-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar

Hmm...I don't know. 2-Foot tall CGI chipmunks frolicking across the screen seems cute, but a 6-foot tall CGI bear with a green hat and a matching tie interacting with live action humans might not be so cute, but of course, that's a better idea than just dressing some actor in a bad bear costume.

I've seen photos of an authorized Yogi Bear play with actors and people in costumes and I actually think it would be more appropriate.

But there's no much point into making anthropomorphic animal cartoon characters looks like live-action, thought. I don't remember any good example.

Movie06 · #11 10-02-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobias

The ideal Ranger Smith would be none other than Luke Wilson.

That kind of casting actually works.

Blackstar · #12 10-02-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atoon

I've seen photos of an authorized Yogi Bear play with actors and people in costumes and I actually think it would be more appropriate.

I know that a lot of people don't like CGI, but if we really must have a live action movie based on a cartoon, please, no actors in costumes! I'm still having visions of Mike Myers as a horrific Cat in the Hat.

Movie06 · #13 10-02-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar

I'm still having visions of Jim Carrey as a horrific Cat in the Hat.

Isn't Mike Myers as the Cat in the Hat worse than that?

Mickialla · #14 10-02-2008, 04:28 PM

This is cool. Surprisingly, I don't really care that it's live action. The Scooby movies were live action and were pretty good. Alvin and the Chipmunks was live action and was awesome. This should be good, seeing as how people from That 70's show (good), Surf's Up (awesome), and Pixar (godly) are working on it.

Whatever happened to that live action Jetsons film that was supposed to happen? And wasn't there supposed to be a Jonny Quest movie in pre-production too? And I heard there was a third installment of the LA Flinstones movies set for an 09 release. Wow, lots of H-B LA movies.

Racattack!Force · #15 10-02-2008, 04:30 PM

As long as there is little toilet humor involved, I'm okay with this.

Mickialla · #16 10-02-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Tednut!

As long as there is little toilet humor involved, I'm okay with this.

Why does everyone think that a Yogi Bear movie will automatically have a lot of toilet humor??

Racattack!Force · #17 10-02-2008, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickialla

Why does everyone think that a Yogi Bear movie will automatically have a lot of toilet humor??

If Hollywood can put some toilet humor in Alvin and the Chipmunks, they sure as heck can could some in Yogi Bear.

**Atoon** · #18 10-02-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar

I know that a lot of people don't like CGI, but if we really must have a live action movie based on a cartoon, please, no actors in costumes! I'm still having visions of Mike Myers as a horrific Cat in the Hat.

No, I tried to mean disguises, not just makeup, like this: