‘Wizard of Id,’ ‘B.C.’ Comics to Be Adapted by New Production Company Underneath the Umbrella

Created by Goodman Pictures and director Tim Johnson, the newly-formed Underneath the Umbrella Productions has acquired the rights to adapt the comic strips “B.C.” and “Wizard of Id,” along with the fantasy novel “The Book of the Dun Cow.”Johnson will co-write, produce, and direct the animated version of the “Wizard of Id,” the first film from the new venture. Tom Astle will co-write. Created in 1964 by artist Johnny Hart, “Wizard of Id” follows a group of characters living in a fantasy medieval kingdom and has appeared in over 1000 newspapers globally, winning the National Cartoonists Society’s best humor strip five times. From the same creator, “B.C.” was first published in 1958 as a daily comic strip. The strip explored the life of a group of cavemen and their anthropomorphic animals and dinosaurs in prehistoric times, and has been in production for nearly 70 years, currently managed by Hart’s family.Underneath the Umbrella secured the rights to “Wizard of Id” and “B.C.” from Patti Hart, of John Hart Studios, who oversees her father’s legacy. The rights to “The Book of the Dun Cow,” which features an all-animal cast, set in an alternate timeline where mankind has never existed, were secured from Ruthanne M. Wangerin, trustee and widow of the author, Walter Wangerin Jr.“This is a dream project,” Johnson said. “As a young boy, I learned to draw by tracing the original Johnny Hart and Brant Parker comic strip. I grew up on the timeless humor of ‘Wizard of Id.’ Similar to my experience directing ‘Over The Hedge,’ I believe the rich characters and sharp wit of ‘Wizard’ offer incredible potential to create a family film that appeals to many generations and cultures. Teaming up with Tom Astle on this new film project is a real joy.”Joe Goodman, CEO of Goodman Pictures, added, “When something has been read daily by millions of people for decades across the world, that’s not just popularity – that’s cultural permanence. These properties have already proven their staying power. Our goal is to translate that into films that families return to for generations.”