Mark Dindal to Direct New “Garfield” Feature

Mark Dindal to Direct New “Garfield” Feature

November 12th, 2018

Jerry Beck

Alcon Entertainment’s new Garfield animated feature has selected its director. The all-CG cartoon feature will be directed by Mark Dindal (The Emperor’s New Groove, Chicken Little); it was announced today by Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.

Writing team Paul Kaplan (George Lopez) and Mark Torgove (Raising Hope) penned the script. Pre-production it set to begin next month in Los Angeles.

Alcon acquired the rights from the creator of the Garfield comic series and brand, Jim Davis, who will also serve as an Executive Producer. Alcon’s goal is to build a franchise of fully CG-animated Garfield feature films. John Cohen (Despicable Me) and Steven P. Wegner (Dolphin Tale 2) brought the project to Alcon and will along with Kosove and Johnson. Bridget McMeel from Amuse will executive produce with Davis.

Director Mark Dindal has been captivated by animation and filmmaking since his early childhood and attended CalArts where he studied animation. Upon graduating he joined Disney as an effects animator working on projects including The Fox and the Hound, The Black Cauldron and Mickey’s Christmas Carol and supervised the effects department for The Little Mermaid. Dindal has directed animated features including Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove and Chicken Little as well as Warner Bros.’ Cats Don’t Dance, and has developed a range of animated and live action features for DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Walden Media and Paramount Pictures.

Mark Dindal adds, “Comic strip characters have always had a special appeal to me. To have this opportunity to make a film with a classic character like Garfield is a privilege and a thrill.”

Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, the Garfield comic strip debuted in June 1978 and follows the cynical and lazy orange cat and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet Odie, the lovable dog.

“I’ve been so impressed with the quality of animation and storytelling coming out of Hollywood of late,” said Jim Davis. “I can’t wait to get into production with the terrific team Alcon has assembled.”

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Jerry Beck

Writer, cartoon producer and author of more than 15 books on animation history. A former studio exec with Nickelodeon and Disney; currently on the faculty at both CalArts in Valencia and Woodbury University in Burbank, California.