The classic fantasy novel The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle is finally making its way back to the silver screen and stage.
According to the Beagleverse website, both a live-action film and stage musical are "in the works," with singer/songwriter Fergie contributing to the musical. As for the film, the live-action adaptation will be "produced by Beagleverse," which is a recently formed company founded by entertainment industry veterans Lauren Sands and Michael Heard in partnership with Beagle.
Beyond Fergie's participation in the stage production, there is currently no information about who will feature as part of the cast and crew for the live-action film or the musical.
The Last Unicorn was first published in 1968 and tells the story of an immortal unicorn who discovers that she is the last of her kind. The story follows the unicorn as she sets out to uncover what happened to the rest of her species and explores themes of innocence, identity and aging. Five million copies of The Last Unicorn have been sold worldwide and fantasy/science fiction magazine Locus included The Last Unicorn on its list of the "All-Time Best Fantasy Novels."
Before Beagleverse's live-action film and stage musical, The Last Unicorn was adapted into an animated film by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass in 1982, with Beagle himself working on the screenplay. The animated version of The Last Unicorn stars Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin and the late Christopher Lee. While the film initially underperformed, it became something of a cult classic amongst fantasy film fans and would go on to receive two subsequent stage adaptations. Working with director Elizabeth Huddle and the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Beagle penned a play version of The Last Unicorn, which was presented by the Intiman Playhouse in Seattle in 1988. Another stage production of the novel was presented by the Promethean Theatre Ensemble in Chicago in 2009.
Moreover, Continent Films announced its own live-action adaptation of The Last Unicorn back in 2006. However, the project never really got off the ground; though, Lee had tentatively agreed to appear in the picture before his passing. The production difficulties may have been due to issues of legality surrounding the story. In 2015, Beagle sued his former manager, alleging elder abuse and fraud. In the subsequent court battle, the author prevailed. As of March 2021, Beagle regained creative control over all projects based on his current body of work and anything he writes in the future.
The Last Unicorn animated film is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Now and Starz.
Source: Beagleverse