Advertisement

Trolls director taking on Puff the Magic Dragon

If recent animated feature ‘Trolls’ caused you to reach for a hankie, you might need a whole box of tissues on standby for this one.

Peter Yarrow, co-writer of 'Puff the Magic Dragon,' in 2013 (Credit: Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com)
Peter Yarrow, co-writer of ‘Puff the Magic Dragon,’ in 2013
(Credit: Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com)

Mike Mitchell, who directed the recent Universal/DreamWorks Animation release, is now set to call the shots on a ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ movie for Fox Animation, Deadline reports.

The film, planned as a mixture of live action and animation, will tell the story of little Jackie Paper and his childhood friend Puff, who have adventures in the magical land of Honalee, as told in the beloved song by folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.

However, the song also emphasises how Jackie eventually outgrows his friendship with Puff, leaving the dragon all alone and breaking the hearts of listeners everywhere – and a good 36 years before Jessie’s Song in ‘Toy Story 2’ would manage a similar feat.

Let’s face it – if director Mitchell could bring audiences to tears with a movie based on a popular line of toys, this one should guarantee there won’t be a dry eye in the house.

Peter, Paul and Mary in their 1960s heyday (credit: WENN)
Peter, Paul and Mary in their 1960s heyday (credit: WENN)

Written by Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton, ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ was a hit for Peter, Paul and Mary on release in 1962, and – despite some alternate theories as to what the lyrics really mean (remember the scene in ‘Meet the Parents’) – it has become a perennial favourite children’s song.

It has also been adapted into a children’s picture book, and a 1978 animated TV special in which Burgess Meredith voiced Puff.

Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell and Joby Harold will produce ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ for Fox Animation. No release dates or potential casting have yet been announced.

Mike Mitchell’s current release ‘Trolls’ has taken over $300 million at the worldwide box office to date.

Read More:
Moana Easter Eggs revealed
10 things you didn’t know about Aladdin
The secret symbol hidden in every Disney film