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In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back
-Charlie Brown, Peanuts
Eight years ago, Craig Schulz received a phone call from Blue Sky Studios asking if the son of the legendary Charles M. Schulz would be interested in bringing the iconic Peanuts characters to life on-screen. It was by no means the first time Schulz had been approached by studios with a similar vision to introduce these characters and their stories to a new generation. What distinguished Blue Sky Studios was that the early concept art presented helped Schulz and his family visualize how spectacular a film could be if done right.
This Friday, November 6th, 2015, Blue Sky Studios will debut the 3D computer animated film, The Peanuts Movie. The film follows the story of Charlie Brown as he endeavors on an epic, heroic quest to win the affection of The Little Red Headed Girl while his beloved beagle Snoopy pursues his arch-nemesis The Red Baron. Having seen short clips, I can decisively say that the look and sentiment of the film authentically commemorates Charles M. Schulz’s legacy.
During a recent press conference at Knott’s Berry Farm, we had an opportunity to speak with Writer/Producer Craig Schulz, Director Steve Martino, and the voice cast of The Peanuts Movie. Along with sharing their favorite moments from the film and how they prepared for their roles, I gleaned the most fascinating facts. Before you see the film, here are 10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Peanuts Movie:
1. Schulz admitted that bringing The Peanuts Universe to life on-screen was difficult. Because the characters are already developed with “pre-packed personalities,” there was a limit to where they could go. Dealing within those constraints was not easy and “we wanted to make the movie worthy for the big screen.” Ultimately, production “boiled down to story…a good story.”
2. Originally, The Peanuts Movie was simply going to be a TV special.
3. The vision for The Peanuts Movie began 8 years ago and production took approximately 5 years. Obtaining permission to produce the film and “ensuring the characters look and feel like what you remember” consumed much of the production time {Steve Martino}.
4. The Peanuts Movie is only the fifth feature-length film based on the Charles M. Schulz’s comic strips and the first feature film based on the characters in 35 years. Schulz commented that timing for the film’s release was motivated by their desire to touch a new generation. “They haven’t heard the message of Peanuts and my dad.” His hope is that seeing the movie will drive audiences back to Charles M. Schulz’s comic strips and the stories of the Peanuts characters.
5. While the entire cast of actors that voice the Peanuts characters approached the project with significant talent, Mariel Sheets, who voices Sally, impressed the filmmakers with her significant knowledge of the Peanuts characters and stories. “I’ve been reading [Peanuts] comic strips and watching the specials my whole life. I know all of the characters by heart (Sheets).” “Of all the characters, Mariel walked in on day one reciting great lines from previous shows in this perfect Sally voice (Martino).”
6. The Little Red-Haired Girl will speak for the very first time in The Peanuts Movie. She is voiced by Francesca Capaldi, best known for her role as Chloe James in Dog With a Blog. Because Capaldi had no reference for The Little Red-Haired Girl’s voice, she was able to have creative freedom to make it her own.
7. Actor Noah Schnapp watched Peanuts’ specials on YouTube to hear Charlie Brown’s original voice. He identifies with his character because “he never gives up and I try to be like that because it is a great trait to have.”
8. Alexander Garfin, who voices Linus van Pelt, learned from his research that at one point he wore glasses. In a couple of the comic strips, Snoopy takes those glasses from him instead of his blanket.
9. If you pay close attention to the visual aesthetic of the film, you’ll see texture and lines, similar to Charles M. Schulz’s original comic strips.
10. Hadley Belle Miller also had creative freedom to make the voice of Lucy van Pelt her own. “I didn’t want it to sound exactly like the others; I wanted it to sound new and unique.” Miller also noted that while Lucy is a boss and a leader who stands up for what she believes in, audiences might be surprised at her softer side, presented in The Peanuts Movie.
The Peanuts Movie debuts in theaters Friday, November 6th, 2015. Also be sure to visit the Peanuts Gang inside Camp Snoopy at Knott’s Berry Farm!
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