Wes Ball reveals test footage for cancelled Mouse Guard film
Following the cancellation of 20th Century Fox’s Mouse Guard film, director and visual effects artist Wes Ball took to Twitter to confirm that the project has failed to sell to other studios and will no longer be moving forward. In addition, Ball has also released the film’s visually stunning Mouse Guard test footage and a behind-the-scenes look, highlighting how much work that the cast and crew had put into the project through the past year. Check out the videos in the players below!
After Disney’s successful acquisition of Fox last March, the high-profile adaptation’s surprising cancellation is only one of Fox’s many projects that have been affected by the merger. It was reported last month that Fox 2000, one of the 20th Century Fox’s well-known film divisions, was entirely shutdown with any projects in development set up at the label no longer moving forward.
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Based on the graphic novels, Mouse Guard follows the titular order of mice who act as the protectors of a mystical medieval world from foes ranging from predators including foxes and eagles, as well as other evil rodents. Idris Elba (Hobbs & Shaw), Andy Serkis (Black Panther), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Maze Runner: The Death Cure) and Jack Whitehall were all attached to star in the film.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story scribe Gary Whitta wrote the screenplay for the Mouse Guard movie, which had Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves producing. Reeves’ own Sixth & Idaho company would have produced along with Mouse Guard publisher Boom! Studios’ Ross Richie and Stephen Christy. The film would have been be a Maze Runner reunion between Brodie-Sangster, who starred in all three films as one of the main characters, Newt, and director Wes Ball, who made his feature directorial debut with the blockbuster adaptation trilogy at Fox that garnered nearly $1 billion across its three films.
RELATED: 20th Century Fox Bringing Mouse Guard Movie to Life
In the world of Mouse Guard, mice struggle to live safely and prosper amongst harsh conditions and a host of predators. Thus the Mouse Guard was formed: more than just soldiers, they are guides for common mice looking to journey without confrontation from one village to another. They see to their duty with fearless dedication so that they may not simply exist but truly live.
Yes sadly, its true. Our #mouseguard movie is dead.
Seems it’s too big a risk. It’s a damn shame really. We had something special. To my hella talented cast/crew: I’m sorry I couldn’t push this one through. The past year with you all has been a blast. May the Guard prevail! pic.twitter.com/MGRq54uI6O
— Wes Ball (@wesball) June 26, 2019
