Bone (lost production material of cancelled film adaptations of Jeff Smith comic series; 1998-2000; 2008-2016): Difference between revisions

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(i've grown desensitized to the word bone)
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|title=<center>Bone</center>
|title=<center>Bone</center>
|image=BoneCompleteSeries.jpg
|image=BoneCompleteSeries.jpg
|imagecaption=Cover of ''Bone'' complete series book.
|imagecaption=The Front Cover of ''Bone: The Complete Edition''.
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
|status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
}}
}}
'''Bone''' is a fantasy comic book series created by Jeff Smith and published by Cartoon Books, that ran from 1991 to 2004 for 55 issues. It tells the story of the Bone Cousins (Fone, Phoney, and Smiley) who are ran out of Boneville and end up in The Valley, where they meet a young woman named Thorn and her grandmother, Gran'ma Ben. Throughout the series, the cousins try to get home while being caught in trials and tribulations of the valley and eventually a war. The series has become a beloved cult classic, but what many may not know is that an animated film had been attempted a few times, before being shelved.  
'''''Bone''''' is a fantasy comic book series created by Jeff Smith and published by Cartoon Books that ran from 1991 to 2004 for 55 issues. It tells the story of the Bone Cousins (Fone, Phoney, and Smiley) who are ran out of Boneville and end up in The Valley. With the help of Thorn and her grandmother, Gran'ma Ben, the cousins try to get back to their home. All the while, they're caught up in trials and tribulations through the valley, and even a war. The series has become a beloved cult classic among readers, with many attempts having been made to adapt the series into film. However, none have been successful. Little to no production material for either adaption of the comic has surfaced.
 
==Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures version (1998 - 2000)==
==Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures version (1998 - 2000)==
In August 1998, Jeff Smith signed a deal with Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies to produce an animated adaptation of ''Bone''. <ref> [https://variety.com/1998/film/news/nick-movies-buys-film-rights-to-bone-comics-1117479690/] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> A first draft script was written a year later, with Smith saying a possible pre-production to happen in 2000 and him being the director. <ref> [https://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/resources/interviews/2257] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> The story would've followed the Bone Cousins ending up in the valley, meet Thorn and Grand'ma Ben, enter the cow race, and face off and defeat the rat creatures, with a complete yet open-ended ending for possible sequels for the rest of the saga. However, Nickelodeon wanted to change the ending and make the film more kid-friendly, with the Bones to be played by children and focus more on Thorn instead. They also insisted on including pop songs by NSYNC and Britney Spears in the film's soundtrack as well. <ref> [http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/15592] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> The executive meddling caused Smith to walk out of the film, causing it to be cancelled in August 2000. <ref> [https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/30/bone-movie-dropped-by-nickelodeon-and-paramount] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref>  
In August 1998, Jeff Smith signed a deal with Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies to produce an animated adaptation of ''Bone''.<ref> [https://variety.com/1998/film/news/nick-movies-buys-film-rights-to-bone-comics-1117479690/ News article on Nick Movies buying the film rights to ''Bone'' from 1998.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> A first draft of the script was written a year later, with Smith stating that pre-production may start in 2000, with him to lead as director.<ref> [https://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/resources/interviews/2257 An interview with Jeff Smith from 1999, detailing production on the film.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> The story would've followed the Bone Cousins ending up in the valley, where they would meet Thorn and Grand'ma Ben. Smith pitched the story to be very simple, but with an open ending that could potentially lead to more sequels for the future. However, Nickelodeon wanted to change the ending and make the film more kid-friendly. Most notably, they wanted the Bones to be played by children, and for Fone Bone to have "Magic Gloves".<ref name="KA"/> They also wanted to shift more focus on the character Thorn, and even debated focusing the movie on her instead.<ref name="KA"/> There were also talks of pop songs by NSYNC and Britney Spears to be featured in the films soundtrack, which was quickly turned down by Smith.<ref name="KA">[http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/15592 An interview with Jeff Smith from 2003 about the cancellation of the film.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> The executive meddling caused Smith to walk out of the film, resulting in production being cancelled in August of 2000.<ref> [https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/08/30/bone-movie-dropped-by-nickelodeon-and-paramount News about the cancellation of the Nickelodeon adaptation of the film.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref>  


==Warner Bros. version (2008 - 2016)==
==Warner Bros. version (2008 - 2016)==
Nearly eight years after the previous version was cancelled, it was revealed in March of 2008 that a new ''Bone'' film was in production. This time, it was to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with Dan Lin producing.<ref>[https://www.slashfilm.com/warner-bros-to-make-jeff-smiths-bone-into-movie/A news article about the Warner Bros. film's annoucement.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> Animal Logic (known for their Oscar-winning film ''Happy Feet'') and Lin Pictures were to produce, with ''Greek'' creator Patrick Sean Smith directing, and P.J. Hogan writing.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/patrick-sean-smith-bone-pj-hogan-283168 News article about the directors and producers assigned to Warner Bros. film adaptation of ''Bone''.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> It was later announced that the film was instead going to become a CGI trilogy. A four minute animation demo reel was shown to Smith, who described it as:


Nearly eight years after the previous version's cancellation in March 2008, it was revealed that a new ''Bone'' film would be underway, this time by Warner Bros. Pictures with Dan Lin producing. <ref>[https://www.slashfilm.com/warner-bros-to-make-jeff-smiths-bone-into-movie/] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> It was later announced to get a CGI trilogy, with a four minute animation demo reel being completed with Smith detailing the demo as "Fone Bone was falling in the water and going through cliffs and canyons. The dragon moved in from off camera in the shadows with smoke around him, all in 3-D. It was pretty mind-blowing." <ref> [https://bleedingcool.com/comics/recent-updates/jeff-smith-says-to-expect-a-3d-bone-trilogy-and-that-early-footage-is-mind-blowing/] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> Animal Logic (known for their Oscar-winning film ''Happy Feet'') and Lin Pictures were to produce, with ''Greek'' creator Patrick Sean Smith directing and P.J. Hogan writing. <ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/patrick-sean-smith-bone-pj-hogan-283168] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> But no further details surfaced, and in November 2016, Mark Osborne (''Kung Fu Panda'') and Adam Kline were to direct and write the still planned CGI film trilogy, effectively replacing Smith and Hogan. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/kung-fu-panda-director-mark-osborne-helm-adaptation-cult-comic-bone-947977] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> No further news came to be, and was quietly cancelled by October 2019 as a ''Bone'' animated series on Netflix was confirmed to be in development. <ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bone-animated-series-based-comics-works-at-netflix-1247546] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref>
<blockquote>
 
"Fone Bone was falling in the water and going through cliffs and canyons. The dragon moved in from off camera in the shadows with smoke around him, all in 3-D. It was pretty mind-blowing." <ref> [https://bleedingcool.com/comics/recent-updates/jeff-smith-says-to-expect-a-3d-bone-trilogy-and-that-early-footage-is-mind-blowing/ Smith reporting on early test footage for the Warner Bros. adaptation of ''Bone''.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref>
</blockquote>


In November 2016, Mark Osborne ''(Kung Fu Panda)'' and Adam Kline, were to direct and write the film trilogy, effectively replacing Smith and Hogan.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/kung-fu-panda-director-mark-osborne-helm-adaptation-cult-comic-bone-947977 News of the Warner Bros. ''Bone'' film adaptation getting new directors.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref> There has been no further news on the project since, and with the announcement of a ''Bone'' animated series coming to Netflix, the project has more than likely been shelved.<ref> [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bone-animated-series-based-comics-works-at-netflix-1247546 News of a ''Bone'' animated series coming to Netflix.] Retrieved 18 July '20</ref>


==Availability==
==Availability==
As of 2020, no material from either version of the film has surfaced. The Warner Bros. animation reel has not been found, and it's unknown how much (if any) animation was done for the Paramount version of the film. Now that Netflix owns the adaptation rights to ''Bone'', it's unlikely either adaptation of the film will ever see the light of day.


As of 2020, no material including concept art, scripts, and footage has surfaced from either version, or if Paramount, Warner Bros., and Jeff Smith have held onto any if they exist. The Warners Bros demo reel animation made in 2011 has yet to be released to the public and it's unknown if animation was done for the film when it was at Paramount and Nickelodeon. As Netflix now owns the adaptation rights to ''Bone'', it's unlikely the film will ever see the light of day at either studio.
==Videos==
 
{{Video|perrow  =3
 
  |service1 =youtube
==External Link==
  |id1      =pnQcsz2E6U4
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnQcsz2E6U4 nickslimepodcast's video on the Nick version of the Bone movie as part of their Nicksmissal III series [Episode 5.]]
  |description1 =nickslimepodcast's video on the Nick version of the ''Bone'' movie.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHk7pnQ8rI4 Ash the Canadian's video on the Nickelodeon version of Bone, including an unproven rumor of test animation by Nick.]
  |service2    =youtube
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XH_DrJt8IE Jay Wallfish's video on the Warner Bros. version.]
  |id2          =FHk7pnQ8rI4
 
  |description2 =Ash the Canadian's video on the Nickelodeon adaptation of the film.
  |service3 =youtube
  |id3        =3XH_DrJt8IE
  |description3 =Jay Wallfish's video on the Warner Bros. adaptation of the film.
}}
==References==  
==References==  
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 02:33, 23 July 2020

BoneCompleteSeries.jpg

The Front Cover of Bone: The Complete Edition.

Status: Lost

Bone is a fantasy comic book series created by Jeff Smith and published by Cartoon Books that ran from 1991 to 2004 for 55 issues. It tells the story of the Bone Cousins (Fone, Phoney, and Smiley) who are ran out of Boneville and end up in The Valley. With the help of Thorn and her grandmother, Gran'ma Ben, the cousins try to get back to their home. All the while, they're caught up in trials and tribulations through the valley, and even a war. The series has become a beloved cult classic among readers, with many attempts having been made to adapt the series into film. However, none have been successful. Little to no production material for either adaption of the comic has surfaced.

Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount Pictures version (1998 - 2000)

In August 1998, Jeff Smith signed a deal with Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies to produce an animated adaptation of Bone.[1] A first draft of the script was written a year later, with Smith stating that pre-production may start in 2000, with him to lead as director.[2] The story would've followed the Bone Cousins ending up in the valley, where they would meet Thorn and Grand'ma Ben. Smith pitched the story to be very simple, but with an open ending that could potentially lead to more sequels for the future. However, Nickelodeon wanted to change the ending and make the film more kid-friendly. Most notably, they wanted the Bones to be played by children, and for Fone Bone to have "Magic Gloves".[3] They also wanted to shift more focus on the character Thorn, and even debated focusing the movie on her instead.[3] There were also talks of pop songs by NSYNC and Britney Spears to be featured in the films soundtrack, which was quickly turned down by Smith.[3] The executive meddling caused Smith to walk out of the film, resulting in production being cancelled in August of 2000.[4]

Warner Bros. version (2008 - 2016)

Nearly eight years after the previous version was cancelled, it was revealed in March of 2008 that a new Bone film was in production. This time, it was to be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, with Dan Lin producing.[5] Animal Logic (known for their Oscar-winning film Happy Feet) and Lin Pictures were to produce, with Greek creator Patrick Sean Smith directing, and P.J. Hogan writing.[6] It was later announced that the film was instead going to become a CGI trilogy. A four minute animation demo reel was shown to Smith, who described it as:

"Fone Bone was falling in the water and going through cliffs and canyons. The dragon moved in from off camera in the shadows with smoke around him, all in 3-D. It was pretty mind-blowing." [7]

In November 2016, Mark Osborne (Kung Fu Panda) and Adam Kline, were to direct and write the film trilogy, effectively replacing Smith and Hogan.[8] There has been no further news on the project since, and with the announcement of a Bone animated series coming to Netflix, the project has more than likely been shelved.[9]

Availability

As of 2020, no material from either version of the film has surfaced. The Warner Bros. animation reel has not been found, and it's unknown how much (if any) animation was done for the Paramount version of the film. Now that Netflix owns the adaptation rights to Bone, it's unlikely either adaptation of the film will ever see the light of day.

Videos

nickslimepodcast's video on the Nick version of the Bone movie.

Ash the Canadian's video on the Nickelodeon adaptation of the film.

Jay Wallfish's video on the Warner Bros. adaptation of the film.

References