“Despicable Me” and “The Lorax” animated feature producers Illumination Entertainment are working on a feature film based on the crimson-coifed cartoon character Woody Woodpecker for Universal Pictures says Heat Vision.
First appearing as a short in 1940, the character was a rambunctious and brash creature voiced by Mel Blanc (who went on to voice Bugs Bunny). In the 50’s however he calmed down and became famous as his various shorts went into syndication, followed by cartoons.
Universal bought the library of shorts and the rights to the character in 1985. “Blades of Glory” scribes John Altschuler and Dave Krinsky are in talks to develop a story which modernizes the character.
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