ReelFX releases their latest animation project, “Back to the Outback”, scheduled to release on Netflix December 10th. It’s about a group of Australia’s deadliest animals feeling sick and tired of being locked up in a reptile house for humans to stare at them like they’re monsters, so they all decide to make a break for it and escape the zoo to live freely in the Australian Outback. The leader of the group is a poisonous snake with a heart of gold named Maddie, who joins forces with a Thorny Devil lizard named Zoe, a hairy spider named Frank, and a sensitive scorpion named Nigel. All seem to go according to plan, until an adorable yet annoying Koala named Pretty Boy insists on tagging along. The animals do their best to escape to the Outback, all the while the zookeeper Chaz and his mini-me are hot on the trail.
“Back to the Outback” boasts a pretty impressive voice cast featuring Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Eric Bana, Guy Pearce, Miranda Tapsell, Angus Imrie, Keith Urban, Jacki Weaver, Rachel House, Celeste Barber, and Wayne Knight.
Daniela Mazzucato produces, and Weed Road Pictures’ Akiva Goldsman and Greg Lessans, who developed the story with Cripps, are executive producers.
Music will come from Rupert Gregson-Williams (Aquaman) and songs will be by Tim Minchin (Broadway’s Matilda). Animation and imagery will come from ReelFX.
Said director Knight: “I have always been touched by stories of hidden beauty. Maddie is both uniquely beauty and beast, and to get to present that message in comedy is the icing on the cake.”
Added writer-director Harry Cripps: “Growing up in Australia, I spent a lot of time in the Blue Mountains which has many different types of snakes and spiders, and I always preferred them to the cute cuddly animals, so it’s such a treat to make a film where the heroes are these poisonous but beautiful little creatures. This film is a love letter to Australia’s incredibly diverse and unique wildlife.”
