Magic Light shines on Velveteen Rabbit

UK prodco Magic Light Pictures is developing an adaptation of classic children’s tale The Velveteen Rabbit with Watership Down scribe Tom Bidwell.

Watership Down

The new edition of Margery Williams’ book is Magic Light’s first live-action/animation hybrid. The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of the unconditional bond between a young boy and his beloved toy rabbit, who wonders what it would be like to be real. The pair share imaginary adventures exploring different worlds.

Magic Light’s partnership with Bidwell comes ahead of his forthcoming BBC and Netflix Christmas adaptation of Richard Adams’ novel Watership Down. Bidwell recently won a Bafta for his work on Jacqueline Wilson’s book Katy for children’s network CBBC.

“We are thrilled to be working with Tom to create the definitive version of this wonderful classic story,” said Martin Pope, co-founder of Magic Light Pictures. “The tale begins at Christmas with its wintry landscapes, then takes us into vivid imaginary worlds. Tom is such a tremendous talent and with his captivating characters and the heart-tugging story we are hoping to create a film that will prove essential Christmas family viewing for years to come.”

“Like all great works of children’s literature The Velveteen Rabbit tells a story about important themes like love and loss, yet it does so with breath-taking imagination and joy,” Bidwell added. “I love the fact that it’s a vignette set at Christmas. It’s almost like our audience is pulled inside the picture on the front of a Christmas card into a world of magic and wonder.”