Walden Media, Beacon Pictures and Revolution Studios are teaming up to bring "The Water Horse" to life. Screenwriter Robert Nelson Jacobs ("The Shipping News") is adapting the book and Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae, Barrie Osborne, and Charlie Lyons are producing the film.
In a statement released by the three production companies involved, "The Water Horse" author Dick King-Smith said, "I am delighted at the news that my story 'The Water Horse' is to be made into a film. It is something that I have long hoped would happen and I'm most excited that this particular book of mine is to be adapted into a visual medium."
Director Russell commented, "'The Water Horse' has a classic quality that I believe movie-going audiences are craving. The pedigree of this material is exceptional, and it is a project I have been pursuing relentlessly for over five years. It has all of the elements I am looking for as a filmmaker and I truly believe this is the film I was born to make."
Revolution Studios founder Joe Roth was quoted as saying, "This is a timeless story whose message is as relevant today as it was when the book was written more than 20 years ago. It is a story of legendary proportions, and we have great people on board to make it a truly magical event."
"The Water Horse" is the story of a young lonely Scottish boy who discovers a mysterious egg on the shore of a loch. The egg hatches and a mysterious creature - the mythical water horse, the sea monster of Scottish legend - emerges. As the monster grows, the boy has his hands full trying to hide the monster from people who don't understand it and want to hurt it.
The same team who did the special effects on Peter Jackson's "King Kong" and "Lord of the Rings" films - Weta Digital and Weta Workshop - will be creating the effects for "The Water Horse."
Filming is scheduled to take place in Scotland and New Zealand beginning in May 2006.
Source: Walden Media, Beacon Pictures, Revolution Studios
