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Zemeckis Producing 'How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack' Movie

by Alex Billington
April 14, 2011
Source: BD, THR

Yep, you read that right. Apparently none other than former Yellow Submarine helmer and the iconic director of Back to the Future - Robert Zemeckis - is producing an adaptation of a book called How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack. Bloody-Disgusting, who was the first to report before THR, says that Sony Pictures Animation has optioned that book, which will be developed "as an R-rated live-action/CG hybrid budgeted in the $20 million-30 million range." This suddenly got awesome. But no screenwriter is even attached. So it's kinda Small Soldiers but redone with gnomes and Zemeckis producing? I'm totally in.

The book by Chuck Sambuchino, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack: Defend Yourself When the Lawn Warriors Strike (And They Will), is a "comprehensive survival guide that will help you prevent, prepare for and ward off an imminent home invasion by the common garden gnome. Once thought of as harmless yard decorations, evidence is mounting that these smiling lawn statues are poised and ready to wreck havoc." Zemeckis has not expressed any interest in directing, so he'll probably just produce. This is such a wacky, wild, crazy awesome concept, and there's even viral videos already! Plus, it's always great to see another R-rated, edgy "animated" comedy again. We'll let you know when they hire a writer/director! Sound good?

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

DanTheMan

First! Wicked (don't even have a comment)
- Nick S.
  
  how old are you...?
  - Anonymous
    
    DanTheMan has no age...he is forever.
Jericho

this should be retitled to 'Win'
http://twitter.com/totomovies Christian Toto

Let's all go see Zemeckis' "Mars Needs Moms" en masse and maybe he can back out of this deal and save a smidgen of face.
Big Boss

Proof that these bastards are BURNING money.
Benjaminffalcon

Zemekis has lost it.
Anonymous

Creative? Very. Will I see it? Absolutely.
- http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
  
  I like this response.
  - Anonymous
    
    I still like Zemeckis...I mean he brought us Forest Gump, Cast Away, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Sure he's gone in a very strange direction.Polar Express was decent, and Beowulf was in my opinion pretty damn good...but A Christmas Carol was lame and he tried to do a sequel to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, big mistakes...almost unforgivable. I'm willing to give him a chance and this sounds great.
- Redguy
  
  garden gnome fetish? Absolutely.
  - Anonymous
    
    maybe...why got a problem with it!?
    - Redguy
      
      no problem at all my friend.
      - Anonymous
        
        its not sexual, purely for decoration...and an army.
GrandDoc23

Ok I respect Zemeckis very much, but c'mon! Do people really think lawn gnomes are something that people find entertaining?? First Gnomeo and Juliet, now this. I don't know, I'll wait for a trailer first. I hate to say it but Zemeckis hasn't done much since I can't remember when...
- Awtan90
  
  It seems like the lawn gnome trend is here to replace the vampire trend
  - GrandDoc23
    
    Lol I guess that's one way to put it. Or maybe replace the zombie trend...
- Anonymous
  
  its an absurd idea, but who know's it could surprise us.
  - GrandDoc23
    
    True. I guess we just have to wait and see...
    - Anonymous
      
      that's all it ever is, wait and see.
Aaron Jennings

Did you write this when you were drunk?
goudos

Already was a killer garden gnome movie...well at least a segment of an anthology film "Screamtime" (1983?).
Quazzimotto

Personally, for Sony to allow or want an R rating on this instantly spells out good times. Zemeckis gets to use his full arsenal of creativity and make the type of movie he wants to make, without any restrictions, rules, or limitations. My only problem is the CGI Zemeckis has been stuck on lately. I've never liked that look and its gotten old, fast. If they make this in the vein similar to Small Soldiers/Gremlins, where real people play real people, and the gnomes are the only CG, than this film could be a lot of fun.