Netflix has revealed some details about the animated adaptation of the beloved children’s book Thelma the Unicorn. Although the project has been a long time coming, we will finally be able to see the finished film on May 17, 2024. With an eager fanbase already ready to receive the feature, it could be a major family hit for the streaming giant.
What is Thelma the Unicorn about?
Thelma the Unicorn follows the misadventures of the titular character, who longs for a celebrity-style life after being just a run-of-the-mill pony all her life. The official Netflix synopsis says:
“Thelma is a small-time pony who dreams of becoming a glamourous music star. In a pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma is transformed into a unicorn and instantly rises to global stardom. But this new life of fame comes at a cost.”
The story is built on a “be careful what you wish for” scenario, and let’s face it, there is probably no better time for this message to be presented than today. Thelma pretends to be a unicorn, placing a carrot on her head to help the image, when a truck filled with glitter and pink paint spills over her and she is mistaken for a real unicorn. She becomes a celebrity and is soon in great demand with fans hounding her for autographs, but the pressures of being famous soon take their toll and Thelma starts to yearn for her simpler life before she was a unicorn.
Thelma the Unicorn | Image via Netflix
The Team behind Thelma the Unicorn
Mikros Animation is the studio behind the production, and if they sound familiar, you may know them from their work on Paw Patrol: The Movie and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Jerusha and Jared Hess have adapted the storybooks into a screenplay, and the writing duo has previously worked on motion pictures such as Nacho Libre and Napoleon Dynamite.
Jared is also credited as a director of the feature, alongside Lynn Wang, who has previously written an episode of Teen Titans Go and was a co-creator on the long-running animated show Unkitty, which also features another unicorn hybrid character.
Is Thelma the Unicorn based on a book?
Thelma the Unicorn is based on a book by the Australian writer Aaron Blabey, first published in 2015. Blabey is well known for his other books including Pig the Pug and The Bad Guys, that would also receive a film adaptation in 2022, starring Sam Rockwell.
Previously, the writer had dabbled in acting, appearing in many TV comedy dramas, however, he decided against pursuing his acting in 2005, concentrating on writing and never looking back. His books have been loved by readers and critics and have brought joy to millions of children across the world.
Thelma the Unicorn was a best-seller and optioned for adaptation in 2019, so it has taken a while for the finished film to appear.
