Dreamworks aims Rumblewick for big screen

Dreamworks Animation is bringing Rumblewick to the big screen. Based on the children’s series My Unwilling Witch (The Rumblewick Diaries/Letters), written by Hiawyn Oram and illustrated by Sarah Warburton, Dreamworks’ feature adaptation will be shaped by the able hands of director Tim Johnson (Over The Hedge, Antz) and writer Jim Herzfeld (Meet the Fockers, Meet the Parents); development execs Chris Kuserand and Gregg Taylor will oversee the project for the studio.

Much like how How To Train Your Dragon was based very, VERY loosely on Cressida Cowell’s series, Dreamworks will use the Rumblewick series as a fast and loose guide for the project – so while the books tell the story of Rumblewick, a cat familiar, Dreamworks’ Rumblewick will follow the adventures of a magician’s rabbit (no word yet on whether the rabbit is a reimagined Rumblewick or a new character added to Rumblewick’s world).

From the studio’s press release:

Rumblewick follows the adventures of a magician’s rabbit for whom the invitation to learn real magic and train as a witch’s familiar seems like a dream come true! But the dream becomes a nightmare when he discovers he’s really a pawn in a game between rival witches. Now he must outsmart them both to save his fuzzy little hide.

Fantasy, snark, cuddly critters and a witch’s brew – sounds like fun….

Rumblewick’s Diary (#1) Book Jacket:

Rumblewick is a highly qualified right hand cat to the most unwilling witch in the kingdom. He’s contractually bound to shape her into the most well-rounded, disgustingly terrible witch she can be, but unfortunately, Haggy would much rather be a normal little girl than do things like boil frogs and frighten children. Poor Rumblewick! Haggy’s antics keep him on his toes, endlessly dodging the wrath of the Hags on High.

You can read an excerpt here.