Anthony and Joe Russo’s AGBO is bringing Free Willy back to the big screen, with Warner Bros developing a new reimagining of the beloved 1990s family adventure.
According to Variety, the studio has hired Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett to write the screenplay for the reboot, which will be produced by Anthony and Joe Russo’s AGBO.
Released in 1993, Free Willy told the story of an orphaned boy who forms an unlikely friendship with a killer whale. The film became a worldwide success, earning $153.7 million at the global box office against a $20 million budget. Its popularity later led to several theatrical sequels, an animated television series and a direct-to-video continuation.
The reboot will be produced by Angela Russo-Otstot, Michael Disco and Kassee Whiting for AGBO. Anthony and Joe Russo, along with Lauren Shuler Donner, will serve as executive producers, while Courtney Baker joins as co-producer. Jesse Ehrman and Cate Adams will oversee the project for Warner Bros.
Kunze is represented by CAA and Henry Huang of Heroes & Villains Entertainment, while Bartlett is represented by UTA and Henry Huang at Heroes & Villains Entertainment.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the project’s development.
