By FilmInk Staff
The Neverending Story, the magical spectacle stashed in many a childhood memory vault, is set to be elevated into future skies with a whole host of possible new films on the horizon. A just-announced collaboration between Michael Ende Productions and See-Saw Films will revitalise the classic tale, with a search already underway for the best creatives to revitalise the popular, original novel.
Initially published in 1979, Ende’s book sold millions of copies in 45 languages. It is anticipated that more than one new film may manifest from the beloved children’s fantasy book set appropriately enough in the curiously strangle world of Fantastica. The 1984 Neverending Story film version was brought to life by child actors Noah Hathaway and Barrett Oliver, who performed brilliantly (although not a lot has been heard from either of them since) playing alongside a stunning array of animatronic puppets, as well as two horses playing one. The film takes a number of unexpected twists through a series of fantastical, dream-like encounters and challenges.
As well as its famous theme song by Kajagoogoo’s Limahl, the film is also a tearjerker of note, with countless kids from generations since famously ranking a specific scene – when the horse Artax succumbs to “the sadness” – as being amongst their most impactful childhood traumas. A modern makeover is good news for audiences past and present, and it will be interesting to see how a contemporary VFX team will deliver the story’s classic scenes, and whether the magic of the original film can be matched, or ultimately, outdone.
Hopefully See-Saw Films and the estate of late author Michael Ende will make for easy bedfellows. Ende objected to script re-writes by director Wolfgang Peterson on the 1984 film, demanding that the film’s title be changed as a result. Ende’s case was unsuccessful, but any such rancour from his estate will hopefully be rectified by a modern adaptation. “We want to transform this unique story into a great cinematic work of art for a wide audience,” says Michael Ende Productions’ Roman Hocke. “We feel lucky to have See-Saw Films by our side for this great task.”
Hocke will be joined in the production by Ralph Gassman for Michael Ende Productions and See-Saw Films’ Iain Canning and Emile Sherman. Australia/UK-based See-Saw Films is an Academy Award, Emmy and BAFTA-winning television and film production house, known for film titles including Lion, The Royal Hotel and The King’s Speech; and the television series Slow Horses for Apple TV. “Michael Ende’s The Neverending Story is a beloved book that has captured the imagination of generations of fans all over the world,” says See-Saw Films’ Canning and Sherman. “Bringing literary worlds to the screen is part of See-Saw’s DNA, and we are passionate about cinematic storytelling and entertaining audiences. We have such love for the book and are honoured to be working with Michael Ende Productions on this collaboration to bring audiences back to Fantastica.”
Stay tuned for more on The Neverending Story.
