Andy Serkis to Direct 'Animal Farm' Film for Netflix

It was recently announced that the distribution rights for Andy Serkis’ upcoming film Mowgli has been bought by Netflix and now the streaming giant has doubled down by acquiring the rights to Serkis’ film adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel Animal Farm.

As Deadline reports, the film will feature actors using performance-capture for the roles of the animals (classic Serkis) and Serkis will lead the project as the film’s director. One of the producer credits includes Matt Reeves, who has previously worked with Serkis on the films Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes.

Animal Farm was first published in 1945 and on surface tells the story about a group of farm animals who band together to rebel against the farmer and start running things themselves. However, the novel is actually an allegory for Stalinism and the dangers of Socialism.

“We are incredibly excited to have finally found the perfect creative home in Netflix for this extraordinarily zeitgeist work by George Orwell,” said Serkis. “On top of that, to be re-united with my great friend Matt Reeves — with his acute sensitivity, storytelling intelligence and honesty and command in this realm — is to have the very best scenario for our long-held passion to bring this fable alive.”

The film will apparently bring “Animal Farm to the screen in a thoroughly contemporary fashion, which will highlight the staggering relevance today of the satirical and dramatic power of Orwell’s re-imagined classic,” according to producer Jonathan Cavendish.

Reeves said of the film: “Andy is such an incredible artist — he is truly a force of nature and a beautiful soul. To be able to work with him again and with Jonathan and Netflix to see Orwell’s classic tale brought to life in a totally new and exciting way is an absolute dream.”

We certainly hope Serkis’ film proves to be as great as the book.