Sky One takes on Pratchett fantasy
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Written by terrypratchettbooks.org
Wednesday, 08 February 2006 |
Another, longer article about the upcoming Hogswatch movie...
UK cabsat channel Sky One and RHI Entertainment have jointly commissioned a high-definition live-action/CGI adaptation of author Terry Pratchett's fantasy fiction Hogfather.
Commissioned as a 2x120' film, the drama will air on Sky One over the Christmas 2006 period, possibly in a Christmas Day slot, and marks the channel's biggest ever drama commission. The ballpark budget, shared between Sky and RHI (fka Hallmark Entertainment), is £6m (US$10m). RGI holds international distribution rights.
UK actor David Jason (Only Fools and Horses) has been confirmed for the key role of Albert, and casting is continuing. Producer Rod Brown also said it was "fair to say" the film will feature recognisable faces "from both sides of the Atlantic."
The project has been in development for almost one year, and Sky One drama commissioner Elaine Pyke said that when the project was first brought to her attention she immediately thought the channel should take it on. While it is still early days and the plan is to see how this first film is received, there is enough material should Sky wish to make further adaptations based on the books, confirmed both Pyke and Brown.
As for its fright factor: "It is absolutely going to be a pre-watershed show. There are moments where you could possibly gasp, in that kind of Doctor Who pace of scariness, but it is not terrifying – it is appropriate for the whole family," said Pyke, who added that it will play in two parts and also hopefully as a double bill.
Hogfather is set in the 'semi-medieval but strangely familiar' Discworld, and revolves around the fact that the Hogfather – who delivers presents to children at Christmas during the festival of Hogswatch – has gone missing.
Shooting begins in the next 10 weeks in Romania, with Mob Film Company producing and The Moving Picture Company, which worked on Troy, providing the computer-generated effects.
Hogfather will be a highlight of RHI's MipTV slate in April.
Jo Anne Kenny
C21Media
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