The Weinstein Company announced today that they are acquiring U.S. rights to the upcoming animated film Ballerina. The project is being directed by Eric Summer and Eric Warin and produced by Nicolas Duval Adassovsky, Yann Zenou, and Laurent Zeitoun of Quad Productions, Main Journey and Andre Rouleau and Valerie D’Auteuil of Caramel Film with a screenplay written by Carole Noble and Laurent Zeitoun (Heartbreaker). The cast will be led by the voice of Elle Fanning along with Maddie Ziegler and Carly Rae Jepsen.
The music composer is Klaus Badelt (Room, Miami Vice, Gladiator) and songs will be written and produced by Chris Braide, known for his collaboration with SIA, Selena Gomez & Beyoncé.
Ballerina marks the latest addition to a long-standing relationship between TWC and producers Adassaovsky, Zenou, Zeitoun who previously worked together on the acclaimed French film The Intouchables, starring Omar Sy and François Cluzet, which TWC is developing into an English adaptation.
Paris, 1884. A orphaned girl arrives in Paris from Brittany. Félicie Milliner (Fanning) is 11 and has no money but one big, passionate dream: to become a dancer. With nothing left to lose, Félicie takes a big risk: she ‘borrows’ a spoiled brat’s identity and enters the Opera Ballet School. But how long can she be someone else? Mentored by the tough and mysterious cleaner, Odette (Jepsen), Félicie learns that talent is not enough – it takes hard work to be better than her ruthless, conniving fellow students. That and friendship. And when Félicie meets the inventive, exhausting and charismatic Victor she gets a soul mate. He also has a dream: becoming a famous inventor. Together, they both encourage each other to reach for the stars.
Commented TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein: “So many little girls dream at some point of becoming a ballerina. This film beautifully pairs that dream of dance with the artistry of animation. It’s a thrill to be teaming up once again with Nicolas, Yann and Laurent on ‘Ballerina,’ who bring a quality of elegance to all of their projects.”
Commented Ballerina producers: “We couldn’t think of a better home than TWC to bring ‘Ballerina’ to U.S. moviegoers. We are thrilled they share our passion for this story and cannot wait to bring Félicie’s tale to the screen.”
Commented Gaumont head of International Cecile Gaget : “I’m very glad that Gaumont teams up once more with TWC, especially on ‘Ballerina’ now, since animation in the US market has become a key priority for Harvey and his team”.
The deal for the project was negotiated by David Glasser, Dan Guando and Michal Podell Steinberg for TWC with Cécile Gaget on behalf of Gaumont, Quad & Main Journey.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
