Ukrainian Smash ‘Mavka’ Live-Action Film in the Works: ‘Animated Feature Was Just the Start’ (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Marta Balaga The “Mavka” franchise is just getting started. Ukraine’s FILM.UA Group is now developing a live-action film based on the character already spotlighted in “Mavka.

The Forest Song,” Variety has found out. Shown in 148 countries, it has grossed over $21 million globally. According to its team, the live-action version will delve even deeper into Ukrainian folklore, offering a more “intricate” portrayal of the mythological character. “‘Mavka’ was always planned as a multiplatform, cross-media IP.

Animated feature was just the start. We want to keep the old fans happy and to attract new ones,” said producer Anna Eliseeva, admitting the new film will be a different (forest) beast. “The plot and even the character will differ from the animation. ‘Forest Song’ was based on our mythology and the work of Ukrainian poetess Lesya Ukrainka, but we had to reinvent the character for the family audience.

Now, we will be able to bring it all back to how it was in the legends: more mysterious and thrilling.” While it’s “just one big challenge” to film in war-torn Ukraine at the moment, local filmmakers have learnt how to adapt, observed Iryna Kostyuk, who will produce alongside Eliseeva. “First the pandemic and now the war – I would say that our nation’s resilience is at its top.” “Our biggest and most significant mission with the animated film had to do with exporting Ukrainian culture.