Man's Best Friend

ROB SPRACKLING
Screenwriter/Director

Rob Sprackling is an experienced screenwriter and award winning writer/director. Along with writing partner John Smith, he conceived and wrote the original screenplay for the Disney feature GNOMEO & JULIET. It was the number one movie in the UK and US and grossed nearly $200 million at the worldwide box office. The film was short-listed for an animation OSCAR and BAFTA and Rob was nominated for an ANNIE (animation's highest honour) for best screenplay. “Kids will fall in love with it. A movie treat.” Box Office Magazine. “This lively little film, a comic take on Shakespeare's tragedy, is really entertaining!” Wall Street Journal. “5 Stars – a must see!” OK.

He originated and wrote the comedy feature film MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER which was the highest grossing UK low budget film (under $10 million) in the year of its release. "This sports satire is arguably the best football film ever made, and unarguably the funniest." Radio Times. "Packed with laughs from end to end - a winner" People. "The Best British Film since Bridget Jones" The Movie Chart Show.

He also wrote and exec-produced the TV series spin off MIKE BASSETT: MANAGER. "This is a very rare thing indeed in the TV world - an ITV sitcom that is actually Premier League funny....Pick of the Week." News of The World. "It's genius." Daily Mail. "The effortlessly gobby Tomlinson's in his element with a script that rattles along with dry one liners." The Sunday Telegraph. "Mike Bassett: Manager is an extremely funny spin off series." The Times.

He recently finished writing the feature sequel MIKE BASSETT: INTERIM MANAGER for the BFI and Steve Barron which is scheduled to shoot in late 2015.

He did a feature film adaptation of the book POURQUOI J'AI PAS MANGE MON PERE for Pathe France and the Oscar winning producers of 'Belleville Rendezvous'. Starring Jamel Debbouze it come out in in April 2015 as one of the biggest ever French domestic releases. “This blockbuster is as lively as it is risky. The result is a reflection of its designer, namely, generous, funny, inventive, turbulent and especially touching. Five Stars. Paris Match.

Rob and John recently completed the second draft of their original screenplay VILLAGE IDIOT an animated feature for Aardman Animation which is targeted for production in 2016. They also recently did a major rewrite on the Aardman movie MUMBO JUMBO currently in development and a comedy punch up on Aardman's SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE which came out in early 2015.

They recently completed the adapted screenplay for the motion capture feature ANIMAL FARM for Andy Serkis' and Jonathan Cavendish's company The Imaginarium. Andy Serkis is attached to direct and star.

Rob's first book BORN AGAIN BEN was published in December 2013. It is currently under option with Hollywood producer Peter Safran, with director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Mr Peabody and Sherman) attached to direct as an animated feature.

Rob is attached to direct his first feature RISE OF THE APPLIANCES a live action comedy sci-fi movie from his own screenplay. Universal are attached to distribute.

Rob has sold a number of original screenplays in Hollywood and the UK, including CUPID X to BBC Films/Icon Entertainment, THE QUEENS CORGI to producer Ivan Reitman (Up in the Air, Ghostbusters) and BLACKWATER ZOO to Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me) at Sony/Hensons.

He has done numerous rewrites like TORTOISE VS HARE for Aardman Animation/Dreamworks, BITCH BITCH BITCH for New Line Studios MARIAH MUNDI AND THE MIDAS BOX for EntMotion and FRENCH EXCHANGE for Buena Vista, plus extended treatments such as THE POLAR EXPRESS for Playtone/Warner Bros, HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON for Sony, JUMANJI 2: ZATHURA for Columbia Pictures and 20th CENTURY BOY for Miramax/HAL plus plenty of comedy punch ups on films from SHOOTING FISH to FIVE CHILDREN AND IT.

He wrote and directed the short film GREEN MONKEY winning the New York International Short Film Festival and the Jury Prize at the Brest Film Festival, France. His second short RISE OF THE APPLIANCES was a comedy horror selected for Clermont Ferrand and Frightfest UK. It won several horror festival awards including Shriekfest, Washington, Oklahoma and the British Horror Awards. He has just completed his third short, a silent movie about a boy and his football, titled MAN'S BEST FRIEND.

Rob was lead writer on the children's BAFTA nominated series MUDDLE EARTH and developed the animated BBC TV series reboot DANGER MOUSE. He is lead writer on the DENNIS THE MENACE reboot for DC Thomson – writing a 30 minute Xmas special and show running the forthcoming TV series.

He is a full WGA and BAFTA member. Repped by Charlie Ferraro (UTA) US and Gemma Hirst (GHA) UK.