One of Judy Blume's best-selling children's books, Superfudge, is now being developed by Disney's streaming platform as an animated film produced by Joe and Anthony Russo. The Superfudge children's novel was published in 1980 and is a sequel to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, making it the third entry in the Fudge series. The property was previously adapted as a TV series titled Fudge and aired from 1995 to 1997.
The story in the book centers on the character of three-year-old Farley Drexel Hatcher, or The Fudge, who seems to believe he's a superhero. And the zany dynamic between him and his brother Peter, as he one day runs away under Peter's supervision across NYC as chaos ensues. The epic adventure in the Big Apple is described as one that "ultimately brings these two together just as their world is turned upside down by the arrival of a brand-new problem — an infant baby sister — reminding us all that nothing is ever constant … except change." As an author, Blume has earned notable awards for her work, including the American Library Association (ALA) 's Margaret A. Edwards Award. Blume was also recognized as a Library of Congress Living Legend and awarded the 2004 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American letters.
According to Deadline, Disney Branded Television's President Ayo Davis announced the Disney+ film project with Avengers: Endgame directors the Russo Bros. as producers during the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour. It is being produced by the Russo Brothers' company, AGBO, and written by Amos Vernon and Nunzio Randazzo. Vernon and Nunzio recently wrote the screenplay for Sony Pictures Animation's Hotel Transylvania: Transformania.
The Russo Bros. have typically produced and/or directed action-oriented live-action content such as Extraction, 21 Bridges, and several Marvel Cinematic Universe titles. Superfudge will mark the first animated film the brother duo have developed and produced together. Currently, they are wrapping up production and directorial duties on The Gray Man, starring Captain America: Civil War star Chris Evans. They are also producing the sequel to Extraction with fellow Avengers alumni Chris Hemsworth.
Disney has been quickly ramping up production on numerous original films and television shows for their Disney+ streaming platform. With Superfudge being based on only one of several titles in the same book series, the streamer may choose to adapt future films or shows based on Blume's popular series of books. Although it is still too early to tell what the property's future with Disney+ will be, it is an encouraging sign that such a high-profile team like the Russo Bros. are collaborating on the current project.
Source: Deadline