Unified Pictures announced today that Unified and ReDefine Animation, part of the DNEG Group, have joined forces on the new animated film by Kung Fu Panda’s John Stevenson. The film, The Ark and the Aardvark, starring Miles Teller as the titular character, will utilize the artistry, experience and scale of ReDefine Animation and launch production with Unified’s LA based animation team. The film, which explores the famed story of Noah’s Ark from the perspective of the animals, will tell the story of an outcast aardvark (Teller) as he joins forces with a rag tag group of misfits as they navigate disasters to reach the mighty ark before the impending flood.

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From The Ark and the Aardvark - Stinky and Gilbert (left to right). Gilbert, the Aardvark, is voiced by Miles Teller. (Graphic: Unified Pictures)

Aubrey Plaza, Jenny Slate, Craig Robinson, Rob Riggle, and Stephen Merchant round out the slate of voice talents bringing this cast of characters to life.

“This hilarious and heartfelt picture has been a long time coming, and we could not be any more excited to add to the collection of staggering talents such as John and Miles to partner with ReDefine Animation, whom we have been inspired by from afar. We have no doubt we are creating a classic for all ages,” added producers Keith Kjarval and Kurt Rauer of Unified Pictures.

Corey Smith at ReDefine said, “We are incredibly excited to work with director John Stevenson and the amazing team at Unified on The Ark and the Aardvark, and we are thrilled to be part of the filmmaking team that is bringing this colorful and charming animated movie to audiences around the world.”

The deal was constructed and negotiated by Unified partner and Executive Producer Ben Ruffman and the DNEG Group’s Simon Hedges, SVP Commercial, Strategy and Operations.

Added Ruffman, “Joining forces with ReDefine Animation, with their tremendous history of artistic excellence, only solidifies our belief in the film finding a massive global audience. The entire creative team could not be any more excited.”

About Unified Pictures

Unified Pictures, founded in 2004 by Keith Kjarval and Kurt Rauer, is a prominent Los Angeles-based production company specializing in the development, financing, and production of both live-action and animated films. The company has produced over twenty feature-length films and has established itself as a significant player in the motion picture industry. Unified Pictures is known for its high-quality, artistically innovative projects across a variety of genres. Upcoming projects include Tin Soldier, which is in post-production and stars Jamie Foxx and Robert DeNiro leading an ensemble cast; The Beast starring Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman, which is in pre-production; and Woozy starring Emile Hirsch also in pre-production. A recent release for the company was Dragged Across Concrete with Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, which has hit #1 on the Netflix top film list. The company also has an active animation division, currently producing The Ark and the Aardvark directed by John Stevenson.

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