Netflix To Develop Animated Adaptation Of Popular Redwall Novels

Netflix has announced that Patrick McHale, creator of Cartoon Network's Over the Garden Wall, will write a feature film adaptation of the popular British children's fantasy novels Redwall. The announcement for the upcoming show was revealed in a tweet from Netflix.

"We couldn't be more delighted to announce this deal," said Ben Horslen, fiction publisher for Penguin Random House children's division (via Variety). "These perennially popular stories have been etched onto the hearts of millions of readers, and we are thrilled to partner with Netflix to bring those beloved characters on screen for families worldwide to enjoy."

Aimed at older children, the Redwall series of novels spanned 22 books until author Brian Jacques death in 2011. The books chronicle the adventures of heroic animals that inhabit the forest haven of Redwall Abbey--a clear inspiration for McHale's series about two half-brothers who travel through a mysterious forest and encounter many mysterious and strange creatures.

This project moving forward represents part of Netflix's ongoing effort to remain competitive with Disney+--but also part of the continuing reality that COVID-19 is still impacting productions worldwide and animation is, comparatively, a less risky endeavor with fewer delays due to positive tests for the coronavirus.