GFM Animation today announced that Montreal-based L’Atelier Animation has boarded its animated family comedy 10 Lives, and that Chris Jenkins has joined the production as director.
L’Atelier Animation will act as the film’s sole animation studio, with early production underway and CG animation due to start in mid-2021. L’Atelier has been closely collaborating with GFM to bring to life the unique story of a cat who is granted a new set of lives – with a twist. The boutique service house specializes in high-end animation projects, with credits including Ballerina (a.k.a. Leap!), the animated series Robozuna and the upcoming CG-animated feature Fireheart.
GFM Animation recently worked with director Jenkins on Original Force’s Duck, Duck, Goose which received a theatrical release in 2018. Jenkins also wrote the project. He was also producer on DreamWorks’ Home and writer/producer on Sony’s Surf’s Up.
10 Lives is being produced by GFM Animation, who acquired the film from Original Force with a recent script rewrite by Jenkins and voice casting underway under the supervision of Robyn Klein.
“For me, the film’s logline is in its title: 10 Lives. Everyone loves cats and knows that ordinarily, they have nine lives… but not so for our hero Beckett, who manages to charm his way into another set of lives. That’s what makes this story stand out so much,” commented GFM Animation’s London-based Head of Production, Sean Feeney. “Chris, Louis-Philippe and the team all feel the same — this will be a wonderful film that the whole family can enjoy. With L’Atelier’s fabulous character animation skills and Chris’ direction bringing the movie to life, we’re in for a great ride.”
L’Atelier’s Executive Producer Louis-Philippe Vermette remarked, “What a pleasure it is to join GFM Animation’s team and Chris Jenkins in telling the adventures of Beckett’s 10 Lives. This project resonates with its fresh, fun, and unique story, and audiences will no doubt have a blast watching it. GFM Animation’s decision to involve us early on completely syncs with how we as animators can best contribute to a project’s success. We look forward to seeing how this wonderful synergy will play out on the screen.”
10 Lives tells the story of Becket, a scrawny little street cat who is sure he deserves a better life. When he is almost hit by a truck, he uses his charm to endear himself to the driver, Rose, and winds up in the perfect forever home with someone who needs him just as much as he needs her. Beckett settles into living the perfect life — totally spoiled, growing fatter, more vain and more selfish of Rose’s love and attention. But his careless escapades see him use up his ninth life. As a result, he finds himself making a deal for a new set of lives on the condition that he promises to use them to learn to be a more considerate and loving cat. He readily agrees, unaware that the new set of lives will see him return as a variety of different animals … with hilarious consequences!
