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German Film Company Developing 3D Animated 'Tarzan' Movie

by Ethan Anderton
August 9, 2010

The last time audiences saw the famous man of the jungle Tarzan swing into theaters was with Disney's animated adaptation just over 10 years ago, but now it looks like Tarzan will be headed back to theaters in 3D animated form but likely without the help of a Phil Collins musical soundtrack. Variety reports German film company Constantin Film is developing, which sounds like it'll be taking more cues from Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan novels, the first of which, Tarzan of the Apes, was published in 1912. The story follows a child raised by a clan of apes after his English aristocratic parents are killed while stranded in the jungle.

The character encounters complications when he discovers his parents makeshift cabin in the jungle, not to mention encounters with hunters, and other humans who eventually venture into the jungle. Though there's no specific mention of the story, I doubt the it will be without Jane, the object of Tarzan's affection. Dubbed the Ape Man, Tarzan is one of the most famous characters in literature and classic cinema. This could very well mark a stellar return for Tarzan, but I can't say that I'm necessarily excited about the prospect at all.

The downside to this whole project is the producer Robert Kulzer, the man behind the upcoming Paul W.S. Anderson films Resident Evil: Afterlife and Three Musketeers. While the musketeers may still have some promise with a decent cast, the Resident Evil sequel looks like pure garbage, and I don't trust a producer who has faith in Paul W.S. Anderson as a filmmaker. Frankly, I'm surprised they're not going for a gritty, live-action adaptation (plus, whatever happened to that Stephen Sommer's one?), but I guess this animated film could easily have a darker tone than previous incarnations. Anyone interested in a new Tarzan?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Spider94

at least its not some cgi live action movie with tarzan roaming in the big apple *insert cough here*
Logan

The Disney animated Tarzan is one of the best animated movies made. Of course with a lot of help from epic music by phil collins. I dont think this can match up to it but will be interesting to see what they make. Personally i think there are better and newer IPs there to make into movies than tarzan, but oh well.
Xerxex

No, the original one is amazing! Why do another cartoon one? why not re-imagine a live-action one? remember Christopher Lambert?
bOb

As a life-long Tarzan fan and collector, my interest would be in the live-action version. There are 3 things I would hope for in a new Tarzan film. 1. A good, solid story based on one the original Burroughs’ Tarzan books. 2. Tarzan is a fantasy, so I would expect some great CGI special effects. Think the recent King Kong re-make. And 3. An actor that can fill the role. NOT another Christopher Lambert, Ron Ely, Wolf Larson, Joe Lara or any girlie-looking guy who looks like a model or a beach bum. Someone with strong, masculine features who stands 6 feet 4 inches with broad shoulders and a lithe, muscular build. They should not have his hair so long that it hangs halfway down his back. Think Weissmuller. The character is savage, feral, but stoic, a man of few words yet speaks intelligently. He can growl like a lion and follow a scent trail as well as any animal. There wouldn’t be any 6 men who could take him down. Those are some elements I’d like to see in a Tarzan movie.