Paramount Animation picks up on Mel Brooks-inspired "Blazing Samurai"

The star-studded animated comedy Blazing Samurai found a home with Paramount Animation, which acquired the rights from GFM Animation for North America and other territories. Directed by Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, 1994) and animator / story artist Mark Koetsier (Rhombus, of illumination Il Grinch, Pocahontas), the photo's release in the United States is scheduled for July 22.

Reimagining the racial tensions of Mel Brooks' classic Fiery saddles, the family adventure follows Hank (voiced by Michael Cera), an adorable mutt with big dreams of becoming a Samurai. When he becomes the new sheriff of Kakamucho, he discovers that he may have bitten more than he can chew: the city is inhabited exclusively by cats and the local warlord (Ricky Gervais) who hired him is determined to destroy it for his own benefit. . Hank's only chance is to get great samurai Jimbo (Samuel L. Jackson) out of retirement as his mentor.

The voice cast also includes George Takei, Michelle Yeoh, Djimon Hounsou, Kathy Shim, Kylie Kuioka, Gabriel Iglesias, Aasif Mandvi and 95-year-old comedy legend Brooks himself.

Blazing Samurai is presented by Aniventure and the financier Align in association with HB Wink Animation and GFM Animation, animated by Cinesite Montreal in 3D CG. Minkoff and Koetsier direct from an original screenplay by Ed Stone and Nate Hopper, revised by Robert Ben Garant and Minkoff, which he also produces alongside Adam Nagle and Guy Collins. Alex Schwartz, Adrian Politowski and Martin Metz are executive producers.

[Source: Hollywood Reporter]