"The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" [Apple TV+]
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Apple TV+ has secured the animated short film "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse," based on the Charlie Mackesy book — and executive produced by Jony Ive.
A classically-animated film, "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" will tell the story found in the international bestseller of the same name, following a friendship between the four beings as they search for a home for the boy.
Featuring Mackesy's illustrations, the film will star BAFTA award winner Tom Hollander as The Mole, as well as SAG Award winner Idris Elba as The Fox and Golden Globe Award winner Gabriel Byrne as The Horse. The Boy will be played by newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll.
Apple is working in partnership with the BBC, which will premiere the film in the UK on Christmas Day. Other countries will be able to watch it on Apple TV+.
The film is presented by Matthew Freud and produced by Cara Speller of NoneMore Productions, who previously worked on "Love, Death & Robots." J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot is also signed up for production duties, while Peter Baynton and Charlie Mackesy are directing.
An original score is provided by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Geoff Alexander.
Of not is the executive producer list, as alongside Woody Harrelson is Jony Ive, the former design chief at Apple who departed and created the design firm LoveFrom.
"The journey of making the film of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse' with my incredibly gifted animation team has been a magical one," said Mackesy. "I never dreamt it would happen — but it's so moving to think the story will be watched at Christmas. I really hope it brings a bit of joy, laughter and comfort."
