‘FernGully’ Live-Action Movie From Marielle Heller Set at Amazon MGM

“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and “Nightbitch” filmmaker Marielle Heller is set to write and direct a live-action adaptation of “FernGully,” which is in development at Amazon MGM Studios.

Heller will also produce the project, based on the beloved animated classic “FernGully: The Last Rainforest,” under her Defiant By Nature banner with Leah Holzer. The film is also produced by Stacey Sher via Shiny Penny; Susan Ursitti‑Sheinberg, Jon Sheinberg, and Matt Feige through Sheinberg Feige Organization (SFO Entertainment). Moonli Singha will executive produce.

The 1992 animated classic “FernGully” followed the magical inhabitants of a rainforest as they fight to save their home, which is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus. The movie featured an all-star voice cast, including Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Christian Slater and Samantha Mathis, and songs from Elton John and Jimmy Buffet.

Shout! Factory continues to distribute the original FernGully film. The Amazon MGM Studios deal was negotiated by Verve Talent and Fischbach, Perlstein, Lieberman & Almond LLP. Heller and Defiant By Nature are represented by UTA, P.J. Shapiro and Erin Einstein of Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Koleand and 42West.

More to come…