30+ Years Later, Robin Williams’ First Animated Movie Is Officially Getting a Live-Action Remake

When Robin Williams‘ animated roles come to mind, at the top of the list is undoubtedly the iconic blue Genie from Disney’s Aladdin. Before he ever emerged from the magic lamp, however, the beloved actor first ventured to a magical rainforest in Australia just a few months prior in 1992. The cult classic FernGully: The Last Rainforest cast him in an adventure filled with fantasy, danger, and a strong environmental message, alongside a starry group that featured Tim Curry, Christian Slater, and Samantha Mathis. Amazon MGM Studios is now about to give new life to the community of fairies, animals, and one particularly manic bat.

A new report has confirmed that FernGully is making a return over 30 years later with a live-action remake at the company, written and directed by The Diary of a Teenage Girl helmer Marielle Heller. It’s also being produced by Heller and her Defiant by Nature fellow Leah Holzer, alongside Stacey Sher through her Shiny Penny banner, and Susan Ursitti‑Sheinberg, Jon Sheinberg, and Matt Feige through Sheinberg Feige Organization. Heller will look to recreate the magic captured by its Oscar-nominated original director, Bill Kroyer, and writer Jim Cox, albeit with the added challenge of translating the majesty of its world and characters in a new way.

FernGully is partly remembered for the spat it caused with the House of Mouse over its inclusion of Williams. After Kroyer Films had already begun work with the beloved star, Disney came knocking with Aladdin​​​​​​, and, unwilling to share with the smaller company after they had already poached some of Disney’s animation talent, began trying to force Williams off the role and even shut down the production entirely to make the Genie his priority. Fortunately, those attempts ultimately failed, and what came out of it was a whimsical environmentalist film following a fairy named Crysta (Mathis) in a fight to save the rainforest. After she accidentally shrinks down a logger named Zak (Jonathan Ward) to her size, he witnesses the mass destruction humans are causing and joins her, her fellow fairies, and their bat sidekick Batty Kodo (Williams) in a race not only to stop his company, but an evil spirit named Hexxus (Curry), who grows more powerful by feeding off the pollution.

What Else Is Heller Known for Directing?

Aside from its cast, FernGully also featured a robust slate of musical talent, including contributions by Williams, Curry, Elton John, Raffi, Sheena Easton, and Johnny Clegg, with a song penned by the late great Jimmy Buffett. Heller has her work cut out for her with trying to regrow The Last Rainforest, but she’s already built a solid resume. After making her feature debut with The Diary of a Teenage Girl in 2015, she’s perhaps best known for directing the acclaimed A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks as children’s icon Fred Rogers. Her most recent release came in 2024 with the Amy Adams-led Nightbitch, though she’s also bound for a reunion with Hanks on a new baseball drama titled The Comebacker, which is set to begin filming in October.

Stay tuned here at Collider for more on the live-action FernGully remake as further updates come out.