Filmlance Working On New Moomin Series

STOCKHOLM: Bron/Broen producer Filmlance International has inked a licensing deal with Moomin Characters and Bulls Licensing to develop the new Moomin animated show.

Lars Blomgren, the managing director of Filmlance, is set to executive produce and will collaborate with Sophia Jansson, the niece of original creator Tove Jansson, on bringing the original kids’ classic to a global audience. Marika Makaroff will serve as creative director, with Steve Box (Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit) on board to direct. Box will also lead the writing team, joined by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler (Peter Rabbit), with Laurie Hutzler as story consultant. Cate Elliott (Charlie and Lola) and John Woolley (Shaun the Sheep) will produce the new series, which will be distributed by Endemol Shine International.

The Moomin characters were created by Finland’s Tove Jansson in 1945. Since then, there have been 13 books and 73 comic strips published in more than 40 countries, as well as film and made-for-television adaptations of the property.

Sophia Jansson commented: “At Moomin Characters we are tremendously happy that we have been presented with this opportunity to work with Filmlance, Endemol Shine Group and such a fantastic creative team. I am very confident that in their hands the Moomins will become something new and wonderful, created with great respect for Tove’s original stories and characters.”

Blomgren noted: “The opportunity to gather together such a brilliant group of creative minds in order to develop a new version of the Moomins is a dream come true for me. Tove’s work is filled with such empathy and joy; something our children need and deserve today more than ever before.”

Makaroff added: “The series will honor Tove Jansson’s original style of illustration, as well as the original stories, while utilizing the latest techniques and bringing those stories to present day.”