In another bold move, Warner Bros. has picked up the adaptation right for an upcoming graphic novel that has not been released yet. The graphic novel is due for release come May 2013 is called Bolivar, written and illustrated by Sean Rubin from Archaia Entertainment.
Bolivar is a story about a young girl named Sybil who moves to New York. Sybil discovers that her neighbor is Bolivar, a dinosaur. Well aren’t they extinct? Yes, well he is the last of his kind.
Bolivar refuses to befriend Sybil despite her persistent efforts. Somewhat of a recluse, the dinosaur hides away from the world, a world that Sybil wants him to explore with her. He soon realizes that Sybil means a lot to him and that he would risk everything for her.
I’m conflicted here. This could go three ways.
One, this could be very kiddy where everyone learns a valuable lesson from caring and sharing in the end. Bolivar who can be equated to a garbage can dwelling muppet, might learn the true meaning of ‘friendship’ for once in his life. There may also be songs that I cringe at.
Two, this could be sadistic and evil on so many enjoyable levels; to me at least. Asides from the difficulties that Bolivar should have with combustion engines; they run on the liquefied remains of his people; this could be a very sarcastic movie. For example, Bolivar must be able to get whatever job he wants as no one has met the dinosaur quota for employees. Heh, affirmative action is funny. I’m also reminded of one of my favorite movies, Leon/The Professional. Leon the creepy assassin befriends a child named Matilda and later gives up everything for her. I really want to see a dinosaur wearing the toque and round sunglasses now.
Three, the story becomes serious in a mock sense. Take some of Rubin’s previous works in Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard. It’s about cute mice in medieval garb fighting for their lives! They struggle for survival against their natural foes and against each other with lots of treachery. So for as cute it is, it has a lot of death and mature themes. For all we know, the story of Bolivar might be a tale of his victimization and survival, the failing struggles of a guy who was born looking like a dinosaur.
Though it would be interesting as a live action movie, Bolivar has been slated as an animated feature. This will be adapted and directed by Irish filmmaker Kealan O’Rourke, winner of the best animation prize for The Boy in the Bubble at the Irish Film and Television Awards. Akiva Goldsman and Kerry Foster are expected to produce this film via their Weed Road company, while Archaia editor-in-chief Stephen Christy will also produce.