Budding Leonardos to shine in film about his life
HE WAS the archetypal Renaissance man, an artistic genius, scientist and engineer who conceived ideas for a helicopter and a parachute, among other incredible contraptions, hundreds of years before they were actually invented.
Now some of Leonardo da Vinci’s extraordinary creations are to be brought to life in a major animation feature intended to inspire the next generation of inventors.
Jim Capobianco, the nominated writer behind the Pixar hit is scripting and directing “a humorous and inventive story for the whole family”.
Titled and featuring a cast of stop-motion puppets as well as drawn animation inspired by Leonardo’s lines, its lead character will be voiced by Stephen Fry, the comedian, with Daisy Ridley, the actress, as a French princess.
The filmmakers have partnered with Irish producers who will launch an international competition next month “to inspire girls and boys to become the Leonardos of the 21st century”, finding innovative new uses for cardboard and other discarded objects around their home.
The winner of the inaugural Inventor Award will receive the ultimate prize of starring in the film.
Their invention could be seen in Leonardo’s workshop or they could find themselves as an animated 3D puppet interacting with the master himself.
The new film will show Leonardo’s struggles as an artist, a genius ahead of his time, recreating with artistic licence his war machines, his experiments with optics and his studies of the human anatomy.
The film’s story focuses on Leonardo as he leaves Italy to join the French court. Ridley portrays Princess Marguerite, the king’s enterprising sister.
Mr Capobianco said: “We’re trying to have a lot of elements for kids to enjoy, but there’s a level of sophistication that parents will also find really enjoyable.” The Inventor is a European and American co-production. It executive producer is Don Hahn, who has made some of the most successful animated films in recent history including The Lion King.
The Inventor Award will be launched alongside the Festival of Curiosity in Dublin on July 16.