“The Wizard of Id” and “B.C.” Set for Adaptation by Newly Launched Underneath the Umbrella
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, the newly established Underneath the Umbrella Productions—founded by Goodman Pictures and director Tim Johnson—has acquired the adaptation rights to the comic strips “B.C.” and “The Wizard of Id,” as well as the fantasy novel “The Book of Dun Cow.”
Johnson is set to co-write, produce, and direct an animated adaptation of “The Wizard of Id,” which will serve as the company’s first project. Tom Stell will also collaborate on the screenplay.
“The Wizard of Id,” created in 1964 by cartoonist Johnny Hart, tells the story of a group of characters in a medieval fantasy kingdom and has been published in more than 1,000 newspapers worldwide. The comic has won the National Cartoonists Society Award for Best Humor Comic Strip five times. From the same creator, “B.C.” was first published as a daily strip in 1958. It depicts the lives of a group of cavemen, animals, and anthropomorphic dinosaurs in prehistoric times, and has been in continuous production for nearly 70 years. It is currently managed by the Hart family.
Underneath the Umbrella acquired the rights to “The Wizard of Id” and “B.C.” from Patti Hart of John Hart Studios, who manages her father’s legacy. The rights to “The Book of Dun Cow,” which features a group of animals in an alternate timeline where humans never existed, were secured from Ruth Ann M. Vangrin, trustee and widow of the late author Walter Wangerin Jr.
Johnson said: “This is a dream project for me. As a child, I learned how to draw by tracing the original comic strips of Johnny Hart and Brant Parker. I grew up with the timeless humor of ‘The Wizard of Id.’ Similar to my experience directing ‘Over the Hedge,’ I believe the rich characters and sharp wit of ‘Wizard’ have extraordinary potential to become a family film that resonates across generations and cultures. Collaborating with Tom Stell on this new project has been truly enjoyable.”
Joe Goodman, CEO of Goodman Pictures, added: “When something has been read daily by millions around the world for decades, it’s not just popularity—it’s cultural longevity. These works have already proven their staying power. Our goal is to translate that longevity into films that families will return to for generations.”
