Reel FX has teamed with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Puss In Boots, Pacific Rim, Pan’s Labyrinth) to produce a CG-animated film carrying the working title Day of the Dead. Del Toro will also present the film which is directed by Emmy Award winner Jorge R. Gutierrez (El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera). The film is being penned by Gutierrez and Emmy Award nominee Doug Langdale. Reel FX will produce alongside Aaron Berger and Carina Schulze of Chatrone, Inc. Day of the Dead is scheduled to be released in fall 2014.
The film is an action-packed, fully CG-animated picture, with a Romeo and Juliet style love story set against a Mexican “Day of the Dead” backdrop. It represents the first time in almost twenty years — since 1993’s Cronos — that del Toro has collaborated on a feature project set in Mexico. Music is also integral to the story; the film will feature an international roster of A-list recording artists performing new songs as well as re-imagined iconic songs. Reel FXs Brad Booker brought Day of the Dead to the studio and is the development executive on the project.
“We’re thrilled to have Guillermo on board for ‘Day of the Dead,'” said Booker. “As individuals, Guillermo and Jorge share a cultural background and love for Mexican folklore, which brings a palpable authenticity to our project; however, as artists, each brings to the picture a vastly different aesthetic sensibility. Working together for the first time, we feel that they bring a truly unique balance to the style and story of the film.”
Notes del Toro, “I have admired Jorge’s work for a long time. He has a unique aesthetic and sense of humor. ‘Day of the Dead’ offers a perfect opportunity for his sensibilities to shine. This is a colorful, vibrant, vital fable that utilizes the animation medium in an incredible way. The object of the tale is not only to talk about life but to dazzle us – jolt us- into living to the fullest. To join Reel FX, Cary Granat and Jorge in this adventure is a privilege and a joy.”
