Although U.S. audiences won’t see his wild-looking live-action/animation hybrid The Congress (one of our favorite films from Cannes) until next year, Ari Folman has unveiled plans for his next feature. The Israeli director behind Waltz with Bashir will helm an animated film surrounding the diary of Anne Frank. With full access to the archives detailing the iconic WWII-based story, it’s said to appeal to families, unlike his last film, but no other details have been revealed thus far. Production begins next winter and judging from the delicate animation process, we don’t expect to see this for another few years. [Variety]
In less serious matters, Mitch Hurwitz has plans to direct his first feature film, and it’s one that has nothing to do with Arrested Development. Titled Guinea Pigging, the script comes from Reno 911! duo Thomas Lennon and Robert Ben Garant, based on Carl Elliott‘s New Yorker article. As one might guess from the title, the Fox 2000 a project follows a group of people who dedicate their time to be test subjects for just about anything and side effects ensue. [THR]
In other directorial debut news, we won’t see the Brian Duffield-scripted Jane Got a Gun until next August, but he’s already set for a big year. The emerging writer has set up his feature-length debut with a new horror romance titled Vivien Hasn’t Been Herself. Following a married couple who must face a supernatural being, production is expected to kick off next year for a likely 2015 festival bow. [Deadline]
Lastly, Little Miss Sunshine directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris reemerged last year with the drama Ruby Sparks and while they haven’t confirmed what they’ll follow it up with, we can add another potential project to the pile. The duo are set to direct The Good Luck of Right Now for DreamWorks, which comes from a Mike White (The School of Rock) script and based on the novel by Matthew Quick (Silver Linings Playbook). The film will follow four outsiders who come together to grieve over tragedies in their lives. [Variety]
Which of the above projects are you most looking forward to?