Sony Pictures Plans Manimal Movie

After the success of Sony Pictures Animation's The Smurfs movie, the studio is back to raid the 1980s TV library, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Sony Pictures Animation has picked up the film rights to the short-lived 1983 NBC series Manimal, which starred Simon MacCorkindale, Melody Anderson, Michael D. Roberts and the voice of William Conrad as the narrator. The animation studio is developing the project as a live action/CG hybrid.

Show creator Glen A. Larson (Magnum P.I., Knight Rider, Battlestar Galactica) is attached as a producer on the movie.

Manimal followed Dr. Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale), famed Professor of Criminology, with the inherited powers to transform himself into any animal he wishes, who uses that power to assist the New York Police Department in solving major crimes.

He is assisted by Brooke McKenzie (Melody Anderson), an intelligent and beautiful detective with the NYPD and Tyrone 'TY' Earl (Michael D. Roberts), a former intelligence officer with whom he served in Vietnam.

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