‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ star John Boyega will be lending his voice to an all-star animated adaptation of the novel ‘Watership Down’ which will be available exclusively on Netflix. The new project will consist of four hour-long episodes based on Richard Adams’ acclaimed book about rabbits avoiding the possible demolition of their home.
‘Watership Down’ is a joint venture with the BBC and as such, all the primary voice actors are British. (The novel is also set in England.) Joining Boyega are ‘Iron Man 3’ bad guy Ben Kingsley as well as ‘X-Men’ stars James McAvoy and Nicholas Hoult, along with Gemma Arterton who starred in ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’. Also part of the cast are Olivia Colman, Miles Jupp, Freddie Fox and Anne-Marie Duff.
McAvoy will actually voice the main character, Hazel, the inspirational leader of the bunnies. McAvoy is no stranger to playing a leader, having starred as Professor X in the last three ‘X-Men’ movies. Boyega stars as Bigwig, the huskiest rabbit and the toughest fighter. Hoult, who plays Hank McCoy in the ‘X-Men’ movies will portray Hazel’s younger brother Fiver, who has precognitive visions including the destruction of their home warren. Arterton will play the role of Clover, a Hutch rabbit.
Meanwhile, Kingsley takes on the villainous role of General Woundwort, the Chief of Efrafra. Colman will provide the voice of Strawberry, while Jupp will voice Blackberry. Fox provides the voice of Captain Holly and Duff will portray Hyzenthlay.
The new adaptation will be written by Tom Bidwell, who previously penned episodes of ‘Eastenders’ and ‘My Mad Fat Diary’. Noam Murro, who previously helmed ‘300: Rise of an Empire’ will direct.
‘Watership Down’ has been adapted several times in the past, most notably in the (disturbing) 1978 animated feature film. It has also been adapted as an ongoing animated TV series and even a stage play.
There’s no scheduled release date for this project yet, so stay tuned.
Are you intrigued to hear John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy and the rest lend their voices to this miniseries?
Source: Cinema Blend
