SAN DIEGO, CA (March 15, 2021) – Westbrook Studios today announced that they have optioned rights to the graphic novel CANTO and are adapting the fantasy series as an animated feature. Co-creator and writer of CANTO, David M. Booher is set to write the screenplay for the film and will executive produce the project alongside co-creator and series illustrator Drew Zucker. Westbrook Studios Co-President and Head of Motion Pictures, Jon Mone will produce. Ryan Shimazaki will oversee the project on behalf of Westbrook Studios.
Inspired by The Wizard of Oz and Dante’s Inferno, CANTO is an all-ages adventure for past and present generations alike.
For generations, CANTO and his fellow tin-people have been enslaved in the land of Arcana, their hearts replaced with clocks. Though love is forbidden, that hasn’t stopped Canto from falling in love with a TIN GIRL. When the slavers damage the tin girl’s clock beyond repair, Canto leaves Arcana to go on a quest and find his people’s missing hearts. Along the way, Canto befriends a fierce MALOREX, finds a HERMIT who lives in a mechanical squid, and works with a mysterious warrior named AULAURA who helps him infiltrate the City of Dis. At the Emerald Tower, Canto confronts the wizard behind it all, THE SHROUDED MAN, and learns the fate of his true love’s heart.
“David and Drew have created a world full of adventure, determination and hope,” said Jon Mone, Co-President of Westbrook Studios, Head of Motion Pictures. “It reminds us of the importance of love and to fight for those we care about and we are so thrilled to work with them to share the magic of this inspiring little hero on the big screen.”
“It’s rare to find a partner like Westbrook who shares our values, both creatively and personally,” says Booher. “Like us, Jon and Ryan see CANTO as a story about hope, and I’m thrilled to work with them to bring it to the screen.”
Zucker adds, “We couldn’t be more excited to have Westbrook as partners in sending Canto onto his next adventure.”
The six-issue fantasy series was published by IDW Publishing with the first issue released in June 2019. The sequel CANTO II was published in August of 2020, and IDW announced in January 2021 that CANTO was renewed for several future story arcs.
David M. Booher and Drew Zucker are represented by CAA, Eric Borja at Alldayeveryday, and David Jelenko at Lichter Grossman.