David Bowers Looks to Adopt Clifford the Big Red Dog

The project officially announced last year, TheWrap is reporting that Universal Pictures’ Clifford the Big Red Dog may have a director in David Bowers. The outlet also brings word that Illumination Entertainment is no longer involved with the adaptation.

Based on Norman Bridwell’s children’s book character, Clifford the Big Red Dog is planned to hit the big screen as a live action/CGI hybrid akin to the studio’s Hop. Matt Lopez (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) is supplying the screenplay.

Bridwell created the character of Clifford, a dog who started a runt but grew to gigantic proportions, in 1963 and the dog and his owner, Emily Elizabeth, have appeared in dozens of children’s books over the years as well as in a television series with the late John Ritter providing the voice of Clifford.

Bowers most recently helmed two Diary of a Wimpy Kid sequels, Rodrick Rules and Dog Days. He has also worked in animation, helming both Flushed Away and Astro Boy.