Warner Bros. Animation and Bad Robot partner with Moana writer Pamela Ribon for an animated Emily the Strange movie
Dig your Cursed Elegy Platform Boots out of the closet and light the Hot Topic pyres to signal your fellow Goths and punks because Warner Bros. Animation and Bad Robot are summoning an animated movie based on Emily the Strange. The lovable and stylish character hails from the creative mind of Rob Reger and his Cosmic Debris company. Pamela Ribon (My Boyfriend is a Bear, Nimona, Moana, Ralph Breaks the Internet) is in charge of the screenplay, with Bad Robot producing alongside Reger, who executive produces with Trevor Duke-Mortez.
Emily the Strange began as an eye-catching graphic on skateboards, stickers, and t-shirts before expanding into a multimillion-dollar brand. First, reminding fans of a Gothic version of Mike Judge’ ‘s Daria Morgendorffer, Emily the Strange, the character exploded onto the skater and emo/punk scene through books, comics, games, and more. Emily struck it rich with the My Chemical Romance crowd, partially due to her stylish black, red, and white aesthetic and unending love for her four curious cats. Instead of tapping into the macabre, Emily promotes positivity with her “think for yourself, do it yourself, be yourself” philosophy. She urges fans to use the power of imagination to achieve their dreams and break the chains of societal norms.
Speaking with Deadline about the upcoming feature-length project, Reger said, “both the creative and executive teams we have in place for the movie are incredible. Everyone shows up with a keen perspective along with an understanding and respect for the unique connection Emily the Strange has with our ‘real world.’”
“Emily celebrates all that is weird and different, which in turn makes the strange and unusual in all of us feel a little less alone,” Reger continued. “Bringing to life Emily’s universe and many mythologies we have created over the years is truly one of Emily’s best nightmares come true.”
Eager to bring the dark magic and imagination of Emily the Strange to screens, Bill Damaschke, President of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, said, “Emily is an enduring pop-culture icon of individuality and empowerment, and Pamela Ribon has a singular and iconic voice. What an honor it is for us as Warner Bros. Pictures Animation to partner with Bad Robot, Rob [Reger] and Trevor [Duke-Moretz] in bringing Emily the Strange to the big screen.”
With four graphic novels and a 27-issue comic series as source material, Pamela Ribon is the perfect creative force to help bring the world of Emily the Strange to life on the silver screen. Her adaptation of ND Stevenson’s Nimona was one of last year’s best-animated features, and the potential for Emily to grow under Ribon’s pen is endless. Let’s get strange!
