New ‘Pink Panther’ Film In The Works

Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards on the set of 1963s ‘The Pink Panther’

The Pink Panther, the film that made a star of Peter Sellers in 1963, is on course to be re-made.

David Silverman and Michael Price, of The Simpson’s fame, are set to direct and write the script. However, unlike the original films, this will focus on the cartoon pink panther character himself.

The character originally appears only in the opening credits, whilst the gem that is targeted for theft in the film is called the pink panther.

But, this latest film will star the character in a non-speaking role, in a mixture of animation and real-life scenes, in a plot that resembles the first film from 1963. The character of Inspector Clouseau isn’t expected to appear in the film, but is likely to be mentioned.

The 1963 original, which starred Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, was co-written and directed by Blake Edwards. The film made a Hollywood star out of Sellers, and led to Edwards and Sellers making four sequels.

Blake Edwards released a sixth film after Peter Sellers death, using a stand in and previously unused footage. However, Sellers’ widow, Lynne Frederick, sued for tarnishing Sellers’ memory, and this ended the Pink Panther series.

There was a Pink Panther film released in 1968, starring Alan Arkin as Clouseau, and another in 1983 with Roger Moore as Clouseau, both without any involvement from Blake Edwards or Peter Sellers, who died in 1980.

Steve Martin has, in 2006 an 2009, played Inspector Clouseau in a reboot of the series. Although commercially panned, both films were box office successes.

MGM are set to helm the project, with Blake Edwards’ widow, actress Julie Andrews, set to produce the film.

Andrews recently said in a statement; “I am delighted that the legacy of Blake’s iconic Pink Panther franchise will continue to grow in its new hybrid form. It is exciting that the quintessential ‘next step’ for our beloved Panther will be enjoyed by a fourth generation of audiences.”