'The Sheep Detectives': A 20-year journey to bring it to theaters
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- "The Sheep Detectives," a new family-friendly murder mystery featuring talking sheep voiced by a star-studded cast including Hugh Jackman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, has surprised audiences with its humor, sincerity, and depth, defying typical expectations for talking animal movies.
- The film, directed by the creator of "Minions" and written by the writer of "Chernobyl," centers on a shepherd whose sheep use their knowledge of murder mysteries to solve his suspicious death, blending quirky comedy with meaningful themes for all ages.
- The project took nearly 20 years to develop, with producers and talent committed to high quality, including Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who are known for elevating unconventional stories.
- Screenwriter Craig Mazin notes that the film resonates emotionally with viewers of all ages, including his own critical daughter, and believes it offers a uniquely positive cinematic experience.
- Despite modest box office projections of $10-15 million, the film is entering a favorable market for PG-rated, non-franchise movies and has been underestimated throughout its production and release.
