Quinta Brunson to Star and Develop ‘Betty Boop’ Movie
Quinta Brunson is getting into the world’s most well-known flapper.
The “Abbott Elementary” creator and Emmy winner will develop and star as Betty Boop in a characteristic movie adaptation of the almost century-old animated icon, Variety you’ve got discovered solely. Brunson’s firm, Fifth Chance Productions, has partnered with Mark Fleischer, grandson of Betty Boop creator Max Fleischer, and Fleischer Studios on the mission, which is at the moment in growth and overseen by Fifth Chance’s head of inventive affairs, Erin Wehrenberg.
The movie will hint the origin and evolution of Betty Boop by way of the attitude of her creator, Max Fleischer, analyzing the connection between the artist and his creation as he navigates the inventive and industrial pressures of constructing one of many world’s first animated icons, significantly as that icon begins to tackle a lifetime of its personal.
It marks Betty Boop’s first theatrical movement image look in a starring function because the Thirties, when she emerged from Fleischer Studios’ groundbreaking “Talkartoons” collection to grow to be the primary and solely animated unbiased feminine film celebrity of her period.
“Betty Boop is one of our nation’s most beloved cartoon characters, yet somehow still remains pleasantly niche,” Brunson wrote in an announcement. “She has had a quiet but undeniable impact on culture for nearly a century. After Erin and I met with Mark and learned more about his grandfather’s creation of Betty, I realized there was a much deeper story to tell. One that could be explored in a way that feels refreshing, subversive, and timeless, much like Betty herself.”
Added Mark Fleischer: “When Quinta first approached me with the unique concept of a movie about the relationship of my grandfather, Max Fleischer, and his creation, Betty Boop, I was breathtaken. Quinta so embodies Betty’s love of life, intelligence, humor, sassiness and compassion that the relationship between her as Betty and Max burst into life at its mere mention.”
Like Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie did with the blockbuster “Barbie,” Brunson, who has constructed “Abbott Elementary” into community tv’s defining comedy of the last decade, may comply with an identical template: a formidable feminine creator-star reimagining a virtually century-old feminine character by way of a up to date lens.
Created by Max Fleischer in 1930, Betty Boop appeared in additional than 100 cartoons throughout her unique run, evolving from a poodle-like nightclub singer into the absolutely human Jazz Age icon acknowledged all over the world immediately. She was the primary cartoon character profiled by A&E’s “Biography” and most just lately anchored the Broadway musical “BOOP!”
Her world licensing footprint spans vogue, magnificence, collectibles and modern model collaborations, positioning her among the many most profitable licensed basic characters in leisure historical past.
For Brunson, the mission lands as she continues her run on ABC’s hit mockumentary “Abbott Elementary,” the community comedy that made her the primary solo Black girl to win the Emmy for excellent writing for a comedy collection and the primary to earn three Emmy nominations in a single 12 months for writing, appearing and producing within the comedy class. She later gained the Emmy for excellent lead comedy actress for Season 2, changing into the primary Black girl to earn that honor since 1981.
Mark Fleischer serves as chairman and CEO of Fleischer Studios. The firm’s unique worldwide licensing company, Global Icons, continues to increase the Betty Boop model throughout worldwide markets.
Fifth Chance Productions, Brunson’s female-led banner, develops character-driven tv and movie with a concentrate on numerous voices and common storytelling.