Given the success of other studios’ in-house animation departments, it’s no surprise to see Paramount trying to launch its own version, and planning to bring in with some proven talent. The company has hired Oscar-winning Paperman director John Kahrs to make **Shedd.
Luring Kahrs away from Disney/Pixar, where he’s worked on the likes of The Incredibles, Bolt and Ratatouille, is a big score for Paramount, especially as we’re sure the Mouse House would want to hang on to someone who has gone on to Oscar victory with one of the loveliest shorts produced by the company.
Still, he’s off to pastures new, and will work on a script from Tripper Clancy, which in turn is based on an idea by Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman. And what is that idea? Sadly, Paramount is keeping that one in their private idea shed for now, refusing to release even the slightest detail beyond that title.
Paramount clearly needs this venture to work: following the end of its pact with DreamWorks Animation, the studio started looking for other ideas to develop, including a SpongeBob SquarePants sequel, which swims on to screens next year. After the delight of Paperman, we’re excited to see what Kahrs does next.