Jon M. Chu to Direct ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ Adaption

J.J. Abrams is aboard to produce the musical, which will feature songs from ‘La La Land’ Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a script by Rob Lieber.

(Left) Director Jon M. Chu on the set of 'Wicked', directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures. (Right) Dr. Seuss' 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' Photo: Amazon.

Preview:

Jon M. Chu and co-director Jill Culton are adapting ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’
It’ll be the latest movie based on a Dr. Seuss book.
‘La La Land’ Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are writing songs for it.

Riding high on the success of his current musical movie, ‘Wicked,’ (even if he was denied a Best Director Oscar nomination) Jon M. Chu is already overseeing development on another, adapting the Dr. Seuss children’s tome ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ into an animated musical.

In fact, Chu has been attached to this one since 2021, but it’s now actually moving forward.

Warner Bros. Animation is backing the new project, which will see Chu co-directing alongside Jill Culton, a veteran of Pixar and DreamWorks who has directed the likes of ‘Abominable’ and ‘Open Season.’

And they have quite the team on this one –– J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot team are aboard to co-produce, and the movie will boast song by no less a duo that ‘La La Land’ and ‘The Greatest Showman’ EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

What’s the story of ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’?

Dr. Seuss' 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' Photo: Amazon.

Written by prolific author Dr. Seuss –– AKA Theodor Seuss Geisel –– the original book was first published by Random House on January 22nd, 1990.

It was the last book to be published during Seuss’ lifetime.

The story, written in his usual rhyming form, begins with the narrator, relating the decision of the unnamed protagonist (who represents the reader) to leave town.

The protagonist travels through several geometrical and polychromatic landscapes and places, eventually encountering a place simply called “The Waiting Place,” which is ominously addressed as being a place where everyone is always waiting for something to happen.

As the protagonist continues to explore, spurred on by the thoughts of places he will visit and things he will discover, the book cheerfully concludes with an open ending.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news of a release date (see below), the script, written by Rob Lieber, whose credits include ‘Peter Rabbit’ and ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day’, will focus on a young adventurer navigating the ups and downs of life.

We don’t yet know who will be lending their voices to the movie.

What other Dr. Seuss books have been adapted?

(Left) Jim Carrey as the Grinch in 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' Photo: Universal Pictures.

Seuss is an author whose works have long been source fodder for TV shows, stage productions and more, including theme park experiences.

Some of his books have even been adapted more than once, including ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ (for the TV ‘toon, the 2000 live-action movie and the 2018 big screen animated iteration).

Other tomes to have been turned into shows or movies include ‘The Cat in the Hat,’ ‘Green Eggs and Ham,’ ‘The Lorax’ and ‘Horton Hears a Who!’

Horton Hears a Who!

"Horton hears more than anyone believes."

G1 hr 26 minMar 3rd, 2008

Showtimes & Tickets

Watch Horton Hears a Who! Online

The same studio behind ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ also has ‘Thing One and Thing Two,’ presumably focused on the chaotic sidekicks to The Cat in the Hat character, in development.

And that’s not even counting all the various theatrical productions, live shows and even movies that put the author himself front and center, talking about his life or his political views.

It’s perhaps not surprising that so many productions have sprung from his work –– after all, that includes many of the most popular children's books of all time, selling over 600 million copies and being translated into more than 20 languages by the time of his death in 1991.

When will ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’ be in theaters?

Dr. Seuss' 'Oh, the Places You'll Go!' Photo: Amazon.

Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has announced that the movie will head to cinemas on March 17th, 2028.

That might seem like a long way away, but don’t forget the time it takes to make big, animated movies such as this.

Add to that the fact that Chu is also busy in post-production on the second part of the ‘Wicked’ movie, ‘Wicked: For Good,’ which will be in theaters on November 21st.