A feature film adaptation is in the works for Danny and the Dinosaur. THR reports that Legendary Entertainment has just acquired the film rights to the classic kids' book series by Syd Hoff, spawning with the original Danny and the Dinosaur picture book in 1958. HarperCollins Productions' Caroline Fraser is producing the feature film adaptation. No director, writer, or cast members have yet been attached.
As of this time, it's unclear if the plan for the Danny and the Dinosaur movie is to be live-action or animation, as that's not specified in the new report. What we can presume is that the film will have a similar plot to that of the book series, following a young child named Danny and his dinosaur friend as they go on adventures around the neighborhood. In the first book, Danny first meets the dinosaur during a trip to a museum. The story ends with the dinosaur returning back home to the museum, declining Danny's offer to live with him as a family pet.
There would eventually be several follow-up books to follow Danny and the Dinosaur. That started with a birthday-themed book in 1985, with subsequent follow-ups following the pair on various occasions including going camping, getting a new puppy, riding a bike, and celebrating holidays like Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, and Christmas.
Danny and the Dinosaur Isn't the Only Classic Kids' Book With a Movie Adaptation in the Works
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Meanwhile, a feature film based on Harold and the Purple Crayon, another classic kids' book, is also in development. First published in 1955, the original book version was written by Crockett Johnson. The live-action feature film that's coming was penned by David Guion and Michael Handelman with Carlos Saldanha directing the movie. Shazam! star Zachary Levi leads the cast alongside Zooey Deschanel, Lil Rel Howery, and Ravi Patel.
What's interesting about these kinds of books getting movies made about them is seeing how it will translate from a short picture book for young children to a full-length feature film. No trailer has yet been released for Harold and the Purple Crayon, so that does remain a mystery. Danny and the Dinosaur might be a bit easier to imagine in comparison, as that one seems like it could be similar to the Clifford the Big Red Dog movie.
It's not yet clear when the Danny and the Dinosaur movie will be released, but the wait for Harold and the Purple Crayon won't be much longer. That film is set to hit theaters on June 30, 2023. A trailer is likely to be coming fairly soon.