Daily Variety reports that French animation studio Xilam has teamed with Dargaud-Marina and Lucky Comics to co-produce a feature film based on the popular comic-book adventures of cowboy Lucky Luke. Scheduled to hit French theaters in the fall of 2007, Tous a l’ouest will also serve as an extension of the animated TV series that has built a loyal following on France 3.
The Lucky Luke comic-book series was created by Rene Goscinny and Maurice de Bevere. The film’s script is reportedly loosely based on the comic installment The Caravan, which has our hero and his equine sidekick, Jolly Jumper, taking on the villainous Dalton brothers. Directing duties are being handled by Olivier Jean-Marie (Xilam’s Oggy and the Cockroaches TV series), who co-wrote the screenplay with Jean-Francois Henry (Rahan).
Budgeted at around $14.4 million, Tous a l’ouest is relying heavily on foreign pre-sales, and has lassoed commitments in Germany, Benelux, Eastern Europe, Portugal and Greece. To further extend its reach, an English-language version is in the works a well.
The last Lucky Luke cartoon was produced 25 years ago, but the character appeared in a live-action feature titled The Daltons, which had a disappointing theatrical debut in Europe last year.
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