While there are almost too many Disney live-action reboots of their classic films in the works to name, a less high profile film in development has just secured an A-list actress. Angelina Jolie has signed on to voice the lead in The One And Only Ivan, a live-action hybrid adaptation of the Newbery Medal-winning book written by Katherine Applegate and illustrated by Patricia Castelao.
Originally published in 2011, the book revolves around a silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a cage in a shopping mall with a stray dog named Bob. Ivan doesn’t remember his life before the mall, but when an elephant named Stella enters, Ivan begins to rediscover his previous life and concocts a plan to take Stella away from their abusive owner.
Jolie will voice Stella, and there’s also an ongoing hunt to find an actress to play a janitor’s daughter, a key component in Ivan and Stella’s escape plan. The film will be directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) from a script written by Mike White (School Of Rock, Freaks And Geeks). Jolie will also produce alongside Allison Shearmur (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story).
It sounds like a sweet project, and it is refreshing to know that Disney aren’t solely focused on rebooting all their old classics. Hopefully The One And Only Ivan can be successful and potentially a catalyst for more non-reboot films. No release date has been confirmed at this time.
#Peace.Love.Jolie
