Unified Pictures and ReDefine Animation Strike Co-Production Pact on John Stevenson’s The Ark and the Aardvark
August 21 2024 - 1:11PM
Business Wire
Unified Pictures announced today that Unified and
ReDefine Animation, part of the DNEG Group, have joined
forces on the new animated film by Kung Fu Panda’s John
Stevenson. The film, The Ark and the Aardvark, starring
Miles Teller as the titular character, will utilize the artistry,
experience and scale of ReDefine Animation and launch production
with Unified’s LA based animation team. The film, which explores
the famed story of Noah’s Ark from the perspective of the animals,
will tell the story of an outcast aardvark (Teller) as he joins
forces with a rag tag group of misfits as they navigate disasters
to reach the mighty ark before the impending flood.
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From The Ark and the Aardvark - Stinky
and Gilbert (left to right). Gilbert, the Aardvark, is voiced by
Miles Teller. (Graphic: Unified Pictures)
Aubrey Plaza, Jenny Slate, Craig Robinson, Rob Riggle, and
Stephen Merchant round out the slate of voice talents bringing this
cast of characters to life.
“This hilarious and heartfelt picture has been a long time
coming, and we could not be any more excited to add to the
collection of staggering talents such as John and Miles to partner
with ReDefine Animation, whom we have been inspired by from afar.
We have no doubt we are creating a classic for all ages,” added
producers Keith Kjarval and Kurt Rauer of Unified Pictures.
Corey Smith at ReDefine said, “We are incredibly excited to work
with director John Stevenson and the amazing team at Unified on The
Ark and the Aardvark, and we are thrilled to be part of the
filmmaking team that is bringing this colorful and charming
animated movie to audiences around the world.”
The deal was constructed and negotiated by Unified partner and
Executive Producer Ben Ruffman and the DNEG Group’s Simon Hedges,
SVP Commercial, Strategy and Operations.
Added Ruffman, “Joining forces with ReDefine Animation, with
their tremendous history of artistic excellence, only solidifies
our belief in the film finding a massive global audience. The
entire creative team could not be any more excited.”
About Unified Pictures
Unified Pictures, founded in 2004 by Keith Kjarval and Kurt
Rauer, is a prominent Los Angeles-based production company
specializing in the development, financing, and production of both
live-action and animated films. The company has produced over
twenty feature-length films and has established itself as a
significant player in the motion picture industry. Unified Pictures
is known for its high-quality, artistically innovative projects
across a variety of genres. Upcoming projects include Tin Soldier,
which is in post-production and stars Jamie Foxx and Robert DeNiro
leading an ensemble cast; The Beast starring Samuel L. Jackson and
Joel Kinnaman, which is in pre-production; and Woozy starring Emile
Hirsch also in pre-production. A recent release for the company was
Dragged Across Concrete with Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, which has
hit #1 on the Netflix top film list. The company also has an active
animation division, currently producing The Ark and the Aardvark
directed by John Stevenson.
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David Mortimer – david@mortimerpr.com