Lionsgate acquires animated Cinderella Spoof - Happily N’Ever After

Lionsgate Films announced its acquisition of U.S. and Canadian rights to the computer-animated family comedy Happily N’Ever After, directed by Paul J. Bolger and written by Robert Moreland. The film was produced by John H. Williams (Oscar®-winning Shrek), BAF Berlin Animation Film and BFC Berliner Film Companie, co-executive produced by Ralph Kamp and Louise Goodsill of Odyssey Entertainment, and executive produced by Rainer Soehnlein, CEO of BFC Berliner Film Companie. It stars Sarah Michelle Gellar, Sigourney Weaver, Freddie Prinze Jr., George Carlin, Wallace Shawn, and Andy Dick.

The announcement was made jointly by Lionsgate President of Theatrical Films Tom Ortenberg and Executive Vice President of Lionsgate Family Entertainment Ken Katsumoto. "Happily N’Ever After fractures a classic fairy tale in a way that is fresh, funny and immensely entertaining," said Ortenberg. "When a film’s Cinderella and Evil Stepmother characters are played by action heroines Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sigourney Weaver, you know you’re in for a different kind of enchantment. We think audiences of all ages will get a big kick out of Happily N’Ever After."

Noted Katsumoto, "Happily N’Ever After epitomizes the kind of quality films that Lionsgate seeks to bring to families everywhere. It’s bursting with clever ideas, great jokes and delightful characters, and the animation is first-rate. Paul J. Bolger, Robert Moreland and an inspired cast have made a film that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family."

"We are thrilled that Lionsgate will be bringing Happily N’Ever After to the U.S. and Canada," said co-executive producer Kamp. "We couldn’t have found a better home for our movie, and are looking forward to a great relationship with Lionsgate and a big box office success."

In the spirit of Hoodwinked, Happily N’Ever After is a satirical retelling of the classic Cinderella story. It is set in Fairy Tale Land, where the age-old balance between good and evil has been thrown out of whack. Commanded by Frieda Sigourney Weaver), Cinderella’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) powermad stepmother, an unholy alliance of bad guys is taking on the good guys. When Cinderella (aka Ella) sees her own fairy tale take a radical left turn, she sheds her damsel-in-distress trappings to lead the resistance.