According to Variety, Paddington film franchise producers StudioCanal and Heyday Films in partnership with Astrid Lindgren Company are developing a film adaptation of Pippi Longstocking, based on Swedish author Astrid Lindgren’s classic children’s book series of the same name. Harry Potter producer David Heyman will serve as producer through his Heyday Films banner.
“Pippi has endured and inspired families everywhere through her life-force, strength of character and her irrepressible joie de vivre.” Heyman said. “Astrid Lindgren’s books have been translated around the globe for many years – a testament to her vision, which we are determined to honor with a new film.”
“In David Heyman, with his impressive track record of bringing great literary works to the screen, together with Studiocanal, we are confident that we have found a team that can understand and appreciate the full value of Pippi Longstocking and develop films that capture both the playfulness and the gravity in my grandmother’s works,” Lindgren’s grandson and CEO of Astrid Lindgren Film, Nils Nyman said.
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The Pippi Longstocking book series follows the story of a nine-year-old pigtailed redhead girl, often described as a generous, kind, fun-loving, and independent kid. She is also known as the strongest girl in the world because of her superhuman strength. The character was originally named by Lindgren’s daughter Karin, who was the one that inspired the author to write the Pippi stories.
“It’s a real pleasure to work again with David Heyman and the team at Heyday, bringing Pippi to audiences around the world,” Studiocanal CEO Didier Lupfer and EVP of international production and acquisitions, Ron Halpern said. “Pippi will play to the imaginations of adults and children alike, and we are so delighted to bring her beautifully enduring stories to life.”
The film also be produced by Heyday’s Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Alison. This project will mark the fifth collaboration between Heyday Films and StudioCanal, who are also working together on the upcoming fantasy film The Secret Garden.
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The first three chapter books of Pippi Longstocking was published by Rabén and Sjögren from 1945-1948 which was followed by three short stories and a series of picture book adaptations. The book series has been translated into more than 70 languages including English, Dutch, French, Spanish and Japanese. Illustrated by Ingrid Vang Nyman, the books have sold over 65 million copies.
