Once the relegated to the back pages of local newspapers, Sony has resurrected Marmaduke and Family Circus by announcing a slate of shared universe movies, with an eye towards a potential Christmas 2018 release date.
“Many people thought we couldn’t make good comic book movies after we botched The Amazing Spider-Man 2. But nothing could be further from the truth.” Said Penny West, VP for Development at Sony Studios ” I am happy to announce that we have green-lit the first script for a dark and gritty Marmaduke/Family Circus film, and we’re so confident it’s gonna be a hit, we’re taking on Star Wars Episode 8 in 2018!”
The screenwriter Andy Hoffman then took over, “People keep asking me about Marmaduke. He’s not the bumbling Great Dane you remember. He’s a Great Dane/Pit Bull mix. The biggest, meanest dog you’ve ever seen. He was a champion dogfighter, until animal control saved him. Now, he’s haunted by what he’s done.” The official synopsis reads: After Billy’s beloved grandmother dies, his parents decide to get him a dog from the pound. Marmaduke. Billy and Marmaduke become fast friends. Billy’s Grandma’s ghost becomes jealous and starts talking to Billy, and convinces him to run away so they can be together forever. Will Marmaduke be able to follow the dotted line to Billy in time, or will the ghost of Grandma have her way?
West continued “After seeing the success of Deadpool. We think that America is hungry for a more realistic Family Circus A family with real problems.” One group of people who is noticeably not “hungry” for this movie are the heirs of Bill Keene, creator of the family circus, who have issued a statement condemning the project.
