'Tarzan' returns in 3D
Germany's Constantin makes latest version of ape-man tale
By DAVE MCNARY
Germany's Constantin Film is swinging into "Tarzan," launching development
of a 3D animated feature.
The English-language pic will be produced inhouse by Robert Kulzer and
Reinhard Klooss.
Constantin acquired animation rights to the "Tarzan" novels from the
estate of author Edgar Rice Burroughs. The first book in the series,
"Tarzan of the Apes," was published in 1912 and spawned numerous sequels
and related works. The character became strongly identified with Johnny
Weismuller after he starred as Tarzan in a series of MGM features in the
1930s, helping the Ape Man become one of the world's best-known literary
figures.
In "Tarzan of the Apes," Tarzan is born in the jungles of Africa to a
stranded English aristocratic couple. When they are killed, the infant is
adopted and raised by a clan of apes. He discovers his true origins when
he comes upon the cabin of his late parents.
Kulzer is a producer on two upcoming 3D projects -- "Resident Evil:
Afterlife," opening this fall, and "The Three Musketeers," which begins
shooting this month.
Klooss is the writer, director and producer of "Animals United," an
animated CGI 3D film releasing this fall.
Martin Moszkowicz, Constantin Film's head of film and TV, will exec
produce. Ambient Entertainment, which did the animation for "Animals
United," will work on "Tarzan."
In 1999, Disney's animated "Tarzan" grossed $448 million worldwide. Warner
Bros. and Jerry Weintraub have been developing a live-action "Tarzan"
since 2003 and have negotiated with Guillermo del Toro and Stephen Sommers
to direct at various points.
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