Vertigo Films and Novel Entertainment are delighted to announce start of principal photography on Horrid Henry: The Movie, a 3D live-action movie based on Novel’s hugely successful children’s property of the same name. Shooting will take place in London for 7 weeks. Release is set for Summer 2011. International sales are being handled by Protagonist Pictures, who will launch the film at the AFM. The first ever British kids’ movie to be filmed in 3D, Horrid Henry: The Movie stars Anjelica Huston as Henry’s terrifying teacher Miss Battle-Axe, alongside, Rebecca Front as Henry’s headmistress Ms Oddbod, Richard E Grant as a rival headmaster and Parminder Nagra as Miss Lovely. Noel Fielding makes an appearance as Killer Boy Rats’ frontman Ed Banger, joining Jo Brand as the Demon Dinner Lady, Matthew Horne as Henry’s Dad and Prunella Scales as Great Aunt Greta. And introducing new young stars, Scarlett Stitt as Moody Margaret, Ross Marron as Perfect Peter and Theo Stevenson as Horrid Henry. Horrid Henry: The Movie is directed by BAFTA nominated Nick Moore and written by Lucinda Whiteley. A co-production between Vertigo Films and Novel Entertainment, Horrid Henry: The Movie is produced by Rupert Preston and Lucinda Whiteley, and Executive Produced by Mike Watts and Allan Niblo together with Tim Smith and Paul Brett of Prescience and James Swarbrick for Aegis Film Fund.

The film sees Horrid Henry, Lord High Majesty of the Purple Hand Gang, waging his ever constant battle against the tyranny of adults, only this time it seems the adults really are out to get him!

Nick Moore’s directorial debut came on the teenage film Wild Child (2008) and he has recently finished working on the new Harrison Ford movie Morning Glory, to be released later this year. Nick received a BAFTA nomination for Best Editing on The Full Monty, and has since edited a number of iconic British films including About A Boy, Notting Hill, Love Actually and Nanny McPhee.

Lucinda Whiteley is an International Emmy and Bafta award winning producer and writer. Before co-founding Novel Entertainment Lucinda was Head of Children’s and Family Programming at Polygram Universal, and prior to that was Commissioning Editor for Children’s Programmes at Channel Four where, amongst others, she commissioned Hollyoaks and Wise Up! As Editor of Channel Four’s Early Morning Television service, she commissioned Big Breakfast.

Horrid Henry was created by author Francesca Simon, and is the most successful children’s literary character in the UK after Harry Potter with book sales of more than 16 million. Novel’s animated TV show is the most successful series ever for CITV and the character has also been widely adapted for stage, radio, online and computer games as well as being at the heart of a successful licensing and merchandising programme.

Co-funded with UKFC, Prescience and Aegis Film Fund, Horrid Henry: The Movie will be distributed by Vertigo Films in the UK.

Rupert Preston said: “We are delighted to be bringing the magic of Horrid Henry onto the big 3D screen. We have a great adult cast, brilliant kids and a hugely professional team. It’s going to be fun!”

Mike Watts said: “To see Henry in real life and real 3D will be a huge thrill for everyone, not least the vast number of Horrid Henry fans who deserve nothing less than the best! This film aims to fulfill their expectations and more.”

Chris Collins from the UK Film Council’s Film Fund says: “Following on from the successful collaboration on Streetdance 3D, the UK Film Council is delighted to be supporting another 3D innovation from Vertigo Films. Horrid Henry is a classic character, much loved by its young audience, and we are pleased to be part of bringing him to the big screen in an exciting way.”