Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn revealed that the virtual band's animated film is still in development.
Albarn, the voice, musician and main creative force, along with artist Jamie Hewlett, behind the popular cartoon group, recently spoke with Radio.com. After discussing the band's latest release, Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez, the subject turned to the long-awaited Gorillaz film. "Well, we are supposed to be making a film while we're doing season two (of 'Song Machine'). We signed contracts, we've begun scripts and stuff."
For years now, there have been rumors of a film or television project involving the band. At one point, a 10-episode animated series was in the works. Apparently, a Dreamworks film also nearly became a reality, but the concept proved too challenging for the studio. Of course, that same issue still exists, according to Albarn. "Making an animated film that's kind of abstract is quite a big risk for a movie studio because they're very expensive. If you're telling a slightly obtuse story that only sometimes makes any sense, it's quite difficult. That's what we've discovered."
Despite the struggle to get the project off the ground, the musician is confident that it will happen and that audiences will embrace it. "We will do it, we are doing it. I see a lot of people doing animated videos these days but I don't think they really touch the quality of ours."
Albarn even confirmed the home of the eventual movie, saying, "We have an agreement to make a movie with Netflix. I guess we will have to finish the second season and there will be time to finally be able to release the Gorillaz movie. I cross my fingers."
The latest Gorillaz album has spawned a number of animated videos, continuing the band's two-decade-long tradition. And along with the latest video, the song featuring Beck debuted in Animal Crossing, a fitting venue for the animated act.
While the animated film set in the world of Gorillaz is proving tricky, last year saw the release of Reject False Icons, a documentary highlighting the band's unique creative process. Between that, their first hardcover comic collection arriving earlier this year and the new album drawing in big names like Beck and Elton John, the time might finally be right for a full-length animated Gorillaz adventure.
Source: Radio.com