Paul Dutton (director of animation on the handsome Oscar nominated toon, The Illusionist) said: "There are so many CG films being made and I do enjoy watching them, but for me, 2D is where it’s at. I’m working with an author who feels the same way on an adaptation of a book, and hopefully we’ll manage to make another traditional film again. I’m working with Phillip Pullman on making Spring-Heeled Jack into a movie. I might be heading out to Oxford in March or April to meet him. We’ve talked a little bit about 2D and 3D and he said he would insist on having the film made in 2D. He must be a bit of a throwback as well.
I’ve read almost everything Pullman has written and enjoyed it, and so has my family. Of course, the Golden Compass, Northern Lights, and those books are fantastic. He really evokes something that I would like to capture.
It’s the plan that I direct this film. I’m developing it right now with a partner here in Calgary, Alberta and Mr. Pullman has given me the rights to shop the project around. He, of course, wanted to make sure his book will be respected properly. Selling 2D to distributors can be a real tough slog because nobody wants to bite, but I think the Oscar nomination we just received for The Illusionist is going to help an awful lot in that respect."
Philip Pullman's Spring-Heeled Jack is a vivid Victorian tale told in words and comic strips, the latter drawn by David Mostyn. This quick-witted, fast-moving adventure story tells of three defenceless sibling orphans who attempt to escape from the Alderman Cawn-Plaster Memorial Orphanage in London on a dark and stormy night. Closely watched by Mack the Knife and other villainous villains, the three children weave their way through the dark and dangerous streets of the city, in constant fear of being caught and returned to the care of the rancid Mr Killjoy and his horribly horrid assistant, Miss Gasket. Fortunately for the orphans, Spring Heeled Jack, the hooded superhero to beat all hooded superheroes, who dresses like the devil and is ready for action against the evil-doers and scallywags of London's dark streets, comes to their aid.
