Universal Pushes ‘Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ Back a Year

Illumination project starring Benedict Cumberbatch moves 12 months up the schedule

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Universal Pictures and Illumination have pushed back their feature animated reboot of “Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” for a full year on the release schedule.

The movie, whose voice cast is led by Benedict Cumberbatch, was scheduled to hit theaters November 10, 2017. It’s been moved to November 9, 2018.

Pete Candeland and Yarrow Cheney are attached as directors, with Illumination chief Chris Meledandri producing along with Janet Healy and Scott Mosier. Audrey Geisel and Chris Renaud serve as executive producers.

Illumination will also produce two original movies for 2016, but has not disclosed official titles. One of them will open Dec. 21, 2016. It will then release “Despicable Me 3,” the sequel to 2013’s most successful animated movie, on  June 30, 2017.

The Illumination reboot is the latest onscreen incarnation of Dr. Seuss‘ 1957 children’s book about a skinny, green-furred curmudgeon who hates Christmas so much that he tries to keep the residents of nearby Whoville from enjoying it as well.

The story inspired Chuck Jones’ beloved 1966 half-hour animated TV special, which has become a holiday staple, as well as Ron Howard‘s 2000 live-action adaptation starring a heavily made-up Jim Carrey in the title role.
(Rick Baker and Gail Rowell-Ryan won an Academy Award for their makeup design.)

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