“The Little Prince”
Stars Collective has signed a strategic partnership with El Pajaro Pictures Shanghai to jointly develop, produce, and distribute a new animated film adaptation of “The Little Prince.” The globally envisioned project aims to breathe new life into the timeless classic through a perfect fusion of innovative technology and artistic expression.
As a masterpiece by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “The Little Prince” has been cherished worldwide since its publication in 1943. Translated into more than 300 languages and selling over 200 million copies globally, it has become a shared cultural treasure for humanity. The 2015 animated adaptation of “The Little Prince” captivated audiences worldwide with its unique artistic style and deeply moving storytelling, achieving a remarkable global box office of $97 million, including an impressive ¥158 million in China.
This new adaptation will focus on Saint-Exupéry’s legendary life between 1940 and 1944. Employing groundbreaking hybrid animation techniques, it will seamlessly blend 2D "expressive" watercolor styles with 3D "realistic" oil painting aesthetics to convey the heart of the story. This bold artistic endeavor, crafted by a top-tier animation team, promises audiences an immersive visual experience. The 2D animation will poetically depict The Little Prince’s whimsical world, while the 3D animation will vividly recreate the author’s real-life experiences through meticulous realistic rendering.
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
POMASE, the official managing body of Saint-Exupéry’s legacy, has fully authorized and supported this project. POMASE President Olivier d’Agay stated: “The family of Antoine de Saint Exupéry has been thinking for a long time to a Chinese animated movie adapted from the original story 'The Little Prince' in regards to the success of the book in China. We have selected El Pajaro as our Chinese partner for this project because we are confident in their ability to fully respect the work of our uncle. I personally share the same view of what should be the content of this movie with its director Mr. Li Jihong who is also the successful translator of the book in mandarin published 12 years ago and sold by millions. I totally trust his perfect understanding of the book’s messages and his incredible knowledge of my uncle’s life. We hope the final result will please the Chinese families and all the fans of 'Le Petit Prince'.”
As the licensing agent for this project, Noletta Chiu, Executive Director of Medialink Animation International Limited, stated: "Medialink's connection with Mr. Li Jihong began with the simplified Chinese edition of ‘The Little Prince.’ We have always resonated with ‘The Little Prince's’ message of love and exploring the meaning of life. I am deeply grateful to Mr. Li Jihong for transforming ‘The Little Prince’ from a piece of flat text into a three-dimensional animated film. Through this Chinese-language movie, we can together share the philosophy of ‘The Little Prince’ with audiences across Asia."
GLOBAL RESOURCES FOR INNOVATION
As the project’s principal investor and global distributor, Stars Collective will integrate top global resources to achieve technological and commercial breakthroughs. Peter Luo, Founder of Stars Collective, said: “By introducing cutting-edge AI technology and innovative animation aesthetics, we are committed to presenting audiences with an unprecedented visual spectacle. This collaboration will not only expand ‘The Little Prince’s’ global influence but also open new possibilities for the convergence of culture and technology.”
With strong support from the Saint-Exupéry Foundation and The Little Prince Foundation, the project is currently in full production.