Move Over Scrat, Wainscott Weasels in at Blue Sky

A chilly period in history provided material for the hit CG feature Ice Age. Now Twentieth Century Fox Animation, Blue Sky Studios and director Chris Wedge are apparently looking to cool children’s literature for their next 3D feature.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox Animation has optioned rights to Wainscott Weasel, a HarperCollins children’s book written by Tor Seidler and illustrated by Fred Marcellino. Wedge will likely direct the feature adaptation, with Blue Sky providing digital animation.

Wedge and Blue Sky are currently preparing the animated feature Robots for delivery in spring of 2005, and also have a sequel to Ice Age in the works for Fox. Wainscott may go into production once those commitments are fulfilled.

Set in Wainscott Woods, Long Island, Wainscott Weasel is described as a love story between an eccentric, eye-patch-wearing weasel and a beautiful bass, who is besieged by a hungry bird of prey as its pond is threatened by a drought.

Fox’s Jane Startz will produce the film under the leadership of Fox Animation president Chris Meledandri and creative exec John Cohen. Lisa Fragner will supervise production for Blue Sky.