Warner Bros. Pictures Animation is set to bring the beloved Animal Planet series “Meerkat Manor” to the big screen in animated form. The studio announced on Tuesday that the project is currently in early development, with Seth Green and Tracy Falco of The Green Room production banner set to produce.
Originally produced by Caroline Hawkins and Clare Birks of Oxford Scientific, “Meerkat Manor” aired on Animal Planet from 2005 to 2008, captivating audiences with the adventures of a meerkat family known as The Whiskers in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. The show achieved global success, earning Emmy nominations and becoming one of Animal Planet’s most-watched programs.
Warner Bros. plans to utilize photoreal animation for the feature, drawing inspiration from the style of “Happy Feet,” the 2006 animated film co-directed by George Miller, which centered around penguins.
Reflecting on the project, Meerkat Manor creator Caroline Hawkins expressed excitement, stating, “It’s 20 years since we experimented with a wildlife soap opera in a London basement, and now here we are. What greater evidence could there be of the enduring appeal of meerkats? I am sure they would be thrilled at attaining stardom in Hollywood!”
Seth Green and Tracy Falco, in a joint statement, emphasized their belief in the universal appeal of the story, saying, “We believe that the heartwarming and entertaining story of Meerkat Manor, replete with all the drama, emotion, and humor of the human experience, will resonate with audiences of all ages.”
