Wind in the Willows movie to film in New Zealand

Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes will adapt family classic The Wind In The Willows for Oscar-winning Schindler’s List producer Gerald R. Molen, with Peter Jackson’s Weta on board.

Ray Griggs will direct the Kenneth Grahame adaptation, on which it is understood extensive design and artwork have already been completed.

Filming will take place at Peter Jackson’s Stone Street Studios in Wellington, New Zealand, while Skywalker Sound will design all the sound effects and ambient noise.

The classic tale recounts the exploits of Mole, Rat, Toad and Badger in the vicinity of the River Thames in England.

Molen’s production company Kindred Images has partnered with Bill Melendez Productions in London (Peanuts), to co-produce The Wind In The Willows.

“We are finalising some of the finest actors to lend their creative and vocal talents,” said Molen. “We could not have dreamed of a better writer and creative force than Julian Fellowes to work with Ray Griggs to bring to life the classic English novel’s characters, nor finer visionaries than WETA to capture the look and feel of Grahame’s world.”