EXCLUSIVE: The Black List-topping Isaac Adamson script Bubbles, about Michael Jackson’s famed Chimpanzee companion, has been acquired to be turned into a stop-motion animated feature in the spirit of Anomalisa. The acquisition was made by Andrew Kortschak and End Cue, and Dan Harmon and his Starburns Industries production company will produce the film. Harmon exec produced Anomalisa, which was nominated for the Best Animated Film Oscar after it created a stir at the last Toronto Film Festival and got acquired by Paramount.

Harmon is also the veteran TV writer and the creator of the NBC sitcom Community. Bubbles tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life and history from the perspective of the pet Chimp which got a close-up view after being adopted by Jackson from an Austin, Texas research facility and given residence at the Neverland Ranch in 1983. He became Jackson’s constant companion until he became overaggressive and was moved to a monkey sanctuary in Florida. The script has been considered a very inventive way to tell an unauthorized story of Jackson without needing permission. Adamson and Lee Stobby will be exec producers, and Harmon and Kortschak will produce. CAA will represent the distribution rights for the film. This comes just as CAA signed Harmon and Starburns Industries in all areas. Adamson is represented by CAA and manager Lee Stobby.​