Live-Action FernGully Remake in the Works with Marielle Heller at the Helm

Hollywood’s relentless nostalgia machine has found its next target: a live-action remake of the 1992 animated classic FernGully: The Last Rainforest.

According to Deadline, director Marielle Heller—fresh off her 2024 film Nightbitch—has signed on to direct and write the screenplay for the remake at Amazon MGM Studios. The original film, an eco-friendly animated feature about a rainforest logger transformed by a fairy, became a cult favorite despite modest box office returns.

The project marks Heller’s latest collaboration with Tom Hanks, following their work on the upcoming baseball film The Comebacker, which is in development at Sony. Heller previously directed Hanks in the 2019 biopic A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

From Cult Classic to Live-Action Revival

The original FernGully: The Last Rainforest told the story of a young logger named Zak, who is shrunk by a fairy and learns the importance of environmental conservation. The film’s enduring appeal lies in its blend of humor, adventure, and a star-studded voice cast, including:

• Robin Williams as Batty Koda, a hyperactive bat voiced by Williams in a performance that reportedly sparked a feud with Disney after he requested they not use his Aladdin voice work to promote the film.
• Tim Curry as Hexxus, a seductive, singing pollution monster whose villainy left a lasting impression on '90s audiences.
• Samantha Mathis and Jonathan Ward as the human leads, Christine and Zak.

The film was directed by animation veteran Bill Kroyer and became a staple of '90s VHS culture, cementing its place in the hearts of millennials who grew up on its Elton John soundtrack and Robin Williams’ signature schtick.

What’s Next for the FernGully Remake?

While Heller’s involvement ensures a fresh creative vision, details about the cast and release timeline remain under wraps. The project joins a growing list of live-action remakes of animated classics, including recent adaptations like The Jungle Book (2016) and Aladdin (2019).

For now, fans of the original FernGully will have to wait to see how Heller reimagines the beloved story for a new generation.