William Joyce and DNEG to adapt ‘The Great Gatsby’ into an animated feature film

By Vandana Srivastawa

on February 23, 2021 08:47:19 PM

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby is getting an animated version with author and filmmaker William Joyce all set to direct. The animated version will have a screenplay written by Brian Selznick. Reportedly, Michael Siegel and DNEG Senior VP Creative Production David Prescott will join Joyce as producers on the animated feature film. DNEG Feature Animation will provide animation services.

This will be the first time the book is adapted for an animated feature film. The 1925 novel was recently adapted by Baz Luhrmann in 2013. The film starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey Mulligan in the lead. It also had a cameo appearance by Amitabh Bachchan.

Oscar-winning filmmaker William Joyce is helming a new animated feature adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby'! Read more about DNEG Feature #Animation's involvement with this new project below! https://t.co/rBvj3bga5J

— DNEG (@dneg) February 22, 2021

Joyce said, “Gatsby continues to cast a powerful spell over readers unlike any other book in American letters. Much of the power of Gatsby comes from the enchantment of Fitzgerald’s prose. He created a vivid dreamscape that, to some degree, has eluded filmmakers since the silent era. The previous film versions were constrained by live-action, but innovative animation could finally realize the elusive quality of the novel.”

Prescott added, “We are in the perfect time for an animated Gatsby. Viewers of all ages are embracing animation as another way to experience different stories. Bill and I have been floating a variety of ideas around over the last few years, discussing ideal stories to bring to the screen, and I do feel that The Great Gatsby is one such story. The style of animation and imagery we are creating for this project are so beautifully married together.”

(Source: Twitter/DNEG)