British fantasy author Terry Pratchett was nothing if not prolific, authoring over 40 novels in a glittering literary career before his untimely death from complications resulting from Alzheimer’s disease in 2015. Several of the dozens of books in his acclaimedDiscworldseries have already been adapted for the screen, including some animated versions from the late 1990s.
Upon their release fifteen years ago, Sky’s three live-action adaptations,Hogfather,The Colour of Magic, andGoing Postal,attracted a bevy of acting talent, including Sean Astin, Ian Richardson, David Warner, Joss Ackland, and Christopher Lee. Amazon Prime’sGood Omens, which will be returning for a second series next year under the watchful gaze ofSandmancreator Neil Gaiman, was based on the 1990 book of the same name, one half of which was written by Gaiman and the other by Pratchett.Filming for season 2officially wrapped in March.
But Pratchett’s work for children is a different matter. Although two of hisJohnny Maxwellseries made it to TV, perhaps his most famous children’s work, theCarnegie Medal-winningDiscworldnovelThe Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, had never been adapted – until now. With a screenplay byPirates of the Caribbeanco-writer Terry Rossio, work on the animated version is well in hand, and Sky Cinema is aiming for a general release at the beginning of next year.
Here’s what we know so faraboutThe Amazing Maurice.
The Amazing Maurice: The Plot
The Amazing Mauricerecounts the adventures of Maurice, a sentient cat who appoints himself the leader of a group of cats called the Clan. The Clan is also sentient; they wear clothes and talk, and dream of putting aside their petty thievery and escaping to an island paradise where rats and humans live together in peace.
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With the connivance of a young boy called Keith, the group prepares a scam whereby the rats infest a town. In a not-so-subtle parody of the Pied Piper of Hamelin story, the inhabitants then pay Keith money to entice the rats away. In the town of Bad Blintz, however, the Clan’s well-rehearsed plans go astray when they discover the town has already hired rat-catchers to solve an already existing rat problem. A girl from the town, Mauricia, joins with the Clan to discover the evil secret of the townsfolk.
The Amazing Maurice: The Cast
Voicing the titular cat is Hugh Laurie, who has had a quiet year or two since his last high-profile appearance on the silver screen opposite Dev Patel and Aneurin Barnard inThe Personal History of David Copperfield. Laurie’s co-star isGame of Thronesstar Emilia Clarke, who comes to the production in the middle of a sojourn in London’s West End, having played one of the principals, Nina, in a staging of Chekhov’sThe Seagull. Clarke plays Malicia, the ditzy, fairy-obsessed girl who acts as an effective foil to the smart and cunning Maurice.
The supporting cast is just as impressive and features several stars from high-profile TV and movie franchises. David Thewlis (Harry Potterfranchise,Wonder Woman) voices the part of Boss Man, while formerDoctor WhoandAround the World in 80 Daysstar David Tennant, fresh from a slew of voice appearances inbig-budget animations(How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,The Loud House Movie,Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers), plays the delightfully-named Dangerous Beans.
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Voicing the role of Keith is Himesh Patel, a British television actor of longstanding, but whose star in Hollywood has lately risen with some excellent performances in supporting roles in Tom Hooper’sThe Aeronauts(2019), Christopher Nolan’sTenet, and opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in last year’sDon’t Look Up. AndJames Bondalumna Gemma Arterton, whose starring turn inThe King’s Manlast year garnered positive reviews, plays Peaches. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Rob Brydon (Green Eggs and Ham), and YouTuber Joe Sugg round out the cast.
Release Date
The Amazing Mauricewas initially slated for a release in early 2022, but a series of minor production issues delayed the release. Nevertheless, it may actually get its premiere in the United Kingdom before the year is out. However, the film is now set for a general release in the United States on June 25, 2025.
How the film fares may have a bearing on Sky’s attitude towards further adaptations of Pratchett’s work. Aside from the three miniseries released in the early 2000s,productions ofDiscworldnovelsUnseen AcademicalsandSourcerywere mooted but never saw the light of day. Sky’s commitment toThe Amazing Maurice, however, shows that interest at the company in theDiscworlduniverse remains high, and a strong showing at the box office may well lead to further adaptations.
