Samuel L. Jackson Joins Chris Pratt in Alcon Entertainment’s Animated Feature “Garfield”
By Matt Grobar
LOS ANGELES, CA, MAY 24, 2022 – Samuel L. Jackson will join Chris Pratt in Alcon Entertainment’s upcoming animated theatrical motion picture based on the iconic comic strip Garfield with Sony Pictures distributing globally (excluding China), it was announced by Alcon co-founders and co-CEO’s Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove.
The script - written by David Reynolds (Finding Nemo) - is being directed by Mark Dindal (Chicken Little, Emperor’s New Groove). Jackson will play a brand-new character, Garfield’s father Vic.
Alcon acquired the rights from the creator of the Garfield comic series and brand, Jim Davis, who will serve as an Executive Producer with Bridget McMeel from Amuse. John Cohen (Despicable Me, Angry Birds) and Steven P. Wegner will produce alongside Alcon principals Kosove and Johnson. Craig Sost will Executive Produce.
DNEG Animation will animate and produce the film with Alcon Entertainment. DNEG CEO Namit Malhotra and DNEG President Tom Jacomb both serve as producers.
Jackson has appeared in more than 150 films, including iconic hits such as Jurassic Park, the Star Wars prequel trilogy, Goodfellas, Coming to America, Menace II Society, and Pulp Fiction among over 100 others. Jackson has provided his voice for several animated films, documentaries, television series, and video games including Star Wars: Clone Wars, The Incredibles, Incredibles 2, Turbo, and Afro Samurai. Jackson recently received an Honorary Academy Award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to honor his extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement.
Created by cartoonist Jim Davis, the Garfield comic strip debuted in June 1978 and follows the cynical and lazy orange cat and his interactions with his owner, Jon Arbuckle, and fellow pet Odie, the lovable dog.
Garfield originally appeared in 41 newspapers, but its success and immediate popularity made it one of the fastest growing comic strips of all time, ultimately appearing in 2,580 newspapers and journals, with an estimated readership of 260 million. Garfield currently holds the record as the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world.
Jackson is repped by ICM Partners and managed by Anonymous Content.