Aussie "Moulin Rouge" producer Martin Brown, Brit producer Nigel Thomas and Director Russell Mulcahy ("Highlander") are teaming for "Russell," a family adventure according to Variety. Mulcahy wants to direct and is awaiting a start date before committing; the producers aim to crank up in March.
The film is about an Aussie poacher who gets trapped in a koala's body and shipped to the London Zoo after falling under an Aboriginal spell. Befriending a feisty 10-year-old girl who likes to cry wolf gives him the chance for redemption.
L.A.-based Brit writer Simon Kelton penned the script, with a polish by Jim Piddock ("Best In Show", "A Mighty Wind"). Budgeted at $16 million, the film is being structured as an Oz-U.K. co-production to tap into British tax funds. No cast is signed yet.
Thanks to 'Queer'
