Jon M. Chu will direct the film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ iconic Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, Deadline reports.
Seuss’ book, published in 1990, is one of the late author’s most famous, and has become a popular gift for birthdays and graduations. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus called the book “a sort of commencement address for tots and their elders.”
The film adaptation will be the first animated movie directed by Chu, known for helming Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights. Production company Bad Robot will bring the book to the screen, with J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Hannah Minghella (the forthcoming Masters of the Universe) producing.
The adaptation of Oh, the Places You’ll Go! was first announced last year, along with a planned movie titled Thing One and Thing Two, based on characters from Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat (which itself has a film adaptation in the works).
Seuss’ books have been adapted into movies before, most notably How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which formed the basis for a 2000 Ron Howard film, and Horton Hears a Who!, which was adapted into a 2008 movie by Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino.
Chu confirmed his involvement with the project on Instagram, writing, “My first animated film! … Couldn’t be more excited to go on this adventure. My journey from falling in love with animation as a kid to being able to direct a feature length musical of such an iconic title is truly emblematic of ‘Oh the Places You’ll Go’. Don’t stop dreaming folks!!!”
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
