Ryan Reynolds produces a dung beetle adaptation
Paramount Animation has set its next major animated feature: I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story, based on the beloved children’s book by Mark Pett. The project brings together an impressive creative team, with Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort producing with the studio.
As explained here, Josh Cooley, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Toy Story 4, is adapting the screenplay and is in talks to direct. Also producing are EGOT-winning songwriters Benj Pasek & Justin Paul through their production company Ampersand, reuniting with Maximum Effort after they collaborated on Apple’s Spirited, which starred Reynolds and Will Ferrell.
The story
I Eat Poop follows Dougie, a young dung beetle navigating the challenges of starting fresh at a new school in an unfamiliar town. Ashamed of his natural diet and desperate to fit in, Dougie goes to great lengths to hide his true identity from his classmates. However, when mysterious disappearances begin plaguing the community, Dougie and his neighbors learn that their unique traits—the very things that make them different—might be exactly what’s needed to save the day.
The story explores themes of self-acceptance, celebrating differences, and finding strength in what makes us unique—classic animated film territory that resonates with both children and adults.
Creative powerhouse
Cooley brings significant animation credibility to the project. After beginning his career at Pixar, where he contributed to acclaimed films including The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Up, he co-wrote 2015’s Inside Out, earning an Oscar nomination. His directorial debut, Toy Story 4 (2019), not only won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature but also became a massive commercial success, grossing over $1.07 billion worldwide.
Most recently, Cooley directed Transformers One for Paramount, which earned $129 million globally, demonstrating his ability to handle both intimate character stories and large-scale action adventures.
Pasek & Paul bring their musical theater expertise to the project. The duo’s impressive resume includes Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, and La La Land, making them ideal collaborators for an animated musical feature.
Source material
The film is based on Mark Pett’s children’s book, part of his extensive catalog that has sold over 500,000 copies worldwide and been translated into ten languages. Pett’s other works include I’m Not Millie!, This Is My Book, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, and several others.
Before becoming a children’s author, Pett had an eclectic career path that included work as a political cartoonist in Prague, creating syndicated comic strips Mr. Lowe and Lucky Cow, and even holding the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest comic strip. A former sixth-grade teacher turned professional poker player, Pett currently lives with his family in the Mountain West.
Broader context
The project represents Maximum Effort’s continued expansion into family entertainment, joining their development slate that includes Boy Band, Starter Villain, Eloise, Reality Vice, and an untitled conspiracy thriller. Brad Butler is overseeing the project for Paramount Animation.
With its combination of proven creative talent, meaningful themes, and built-in audience appeal, I Eat Poop: A Dung Beetle Story positions itself as a potential major player in the competitive animated film landscape.