Not content with creating its own characters (or, more accurately, loosely adapting the likes of Shrek and the How To Train Your Dragon gang from books), DreamWorks Animation has been on the look out for other properties to snap up, targeting the Troll dolls most recently. But though the spiky haired ones already have a film in production, it appears the company’s latest acquisition, Felix the Cat**, might have to wait a while before he hits screens again.
Speaking at the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, DreamWorks Animation boss Jeffrey Katzenberg talked up the purchase as part of the company’s presentation. “Today, DreamWorks has acquired all rights to Felix the Cat,” Katzenberg said according to Variety. “Felix really goes beyond evergreen status and rises to something even more uncommon, as he is a true icon. We plan to make him one of the most desired fashion brands in the world.”
Katzenberg has so far made no mention of turning the character – which first rose to popularity in the 1920s in animated shorts and spin-off merchandise before becoming even better known in the 1950s thanks to a TV series - into a film, though that will probably follow.
In addition to the Felix announcement, Katzenberg also brought details of the company’s plan to launch DreamWorks’ DreamHouse, which will be an amped-up version of a Santa’s grotto featuring characters from the studio’s ‘toons. No plans for locations or exact timing were announced, but it’ll be launched in the US in time for Christmas this year.