'Watership Down': James McAvoy, John Boyega & Ben Kingsley Join Adaptation of Traumatizing Children's Book

“Watership Down,” everyone’s favorite traumatizing book for children, has already famously been adapted for screen: Martin Rosen’s 1978 version scared just as many kids as Richard Adams’ novel did. It’ll next be seen as an animated miniseries courtesy of Netflix and BBC, with James McAvoy, John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult and Ben Kingsley having just been announced as key members of the voice cast.

READ MORE: Fellini’s ‘Satyricon,’ Animated Classic ‘Watership Down’ and More Hitting Criterion in February

The book tells of a group of rabbits in rural England who set out to find a new burrow to call their own after encroaching farmers threaten their current h. Many die along the way — several from infighting among the complex bunny hierarchy — with danger coming from both within and without. Also lending their talents to the project are Gemma Arterton, Olivia Colman, Miles Jupp, Freddie Fox and Anne-Marie Duff.

READ MORE: Watch: Wacky Teaser for Don Herztfedlt’s SXSW and Sundance-Winning ‘World of Tomorrow’

Tom Bidwell (“My Mad Fat Diary”) is writing the four-part miniseries, with Noam Murro (“300: Rise of an Empire”) set to direct. It’s slated to be finished next year.

For more animated fare that isn’t always PG, watch the “Anomalisa” trailer:



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