Universal is in talks to develop a reboot of the classic 50's character, Woody Woodpecker.

The Universal based Illumination Entertainment could be developing the feature project centering on the cartoon character. John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky are also in talks to write the script.

Woody Woodpecker first appeared in a short in 1940. It was co-created by cartoonist Walter Lantz and voiced, in his initial outings, by Mel Blanc, the future voice of Bugs Bunny. The character was initially rambunctious and brash, a huge hit during World War II-era America, but he mellowed into the '50s, even developing a love interest and a recurring nemesis Ben Buzzard.

The project is still in development.