Following several unsuccessful attempts at turning Bone into a movie, Netflix is about to approach the acclaimed graphic novel from a different angle. Deadline brings word that the streaming service is developing Jeff Smith’s beloved comic as an animated series.
Bone spanned 55 issues, irregularly released between 1991 and 2004. The comic followed the three Bone cousins: Phoney Bone, Smiley Bone, and Fone Bone. After being run out of their hometown of Boneville, the characters end up in a strange valley brimming with fantastical creatures. The series garnered praise from several reputable outlets during its 13-year run. Among other accolades, it racked up 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards. Time Magazine also hailed it as one of the 10 best graphic novels ever published.
RELATED: Kung Fu Panda’s Mark Osborne to Direct Film Adaptation of Bone Comic
The book’s popularity with readers put it on Hollywood’s radar as early as the late ‘90s, when Nickelodeon Movies aimed to produce its own film adaptation. Unfortunately, the studio’s desire to cast pre-teen actors and feature a pop soundtrack didn’t sit well with Smith. Warner Bros. bought the rights in 2008 and spent the better part of the next decade trying to launch a franchise based on the series. The studio hired Kung Fu Panda director Mark Osborne to helm the film in 2016. But of course, nothing actually came of this.
Despite Bone’s shaky history with studios, Smith seems confident that the series is in safe hands with Netflix. He also revealed his own excitement for the project in a new statement.
“I’ve waited a long time for this,” said Smith. “Netflix is the perfect home for Bone. Fans of the books know that the story develops chapter-by-chapter and book-by-book. An animated series is exactly the way to do this! The team at Netflix understands Bone and is committed to doing something special — this is good news for kids and cartoon lovers all over the world.”
Are you excited to see what Netflix has planned for Bone? Who would you cast to voice the titular cousins? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading – Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume
