HEATHCLIFF Coming To Big Screen; Mischievous Cat Latest to Join Family Friendly Slate Including “Mr. Ed” and “ The Brave Little Toaster”

Family-based production outfit Waterman Entertainment has secured the feature rights to the iconic comic strip character HEATHCLIFF, it was announced today by the company’s Head of Development, Cooper Waterman. The acquisition comes on the heels of the company making similar feature film deals with rights holders of the iconic family brands including THE BRAVE LITTLE TOASTER and MR. ED. As is the case with those titles, HEATHCLIFF will be reimagined as a CGI/live action film with contemporary storylines, while preserving the original essence that the respective right’s holders created for each of the characters.

George Gately created the comic strip in 1973. Heathcliff was born on the wrong side of the tracks in the bad part of town. When both his parents were locked up by the law, little Heathcliff was left to fend for himself. He grew up quick and he grew up mean, until one day he was rescued by a loving family: the Nutmegs. They welcomed him into their home where he was treated with kindness and love for the first time in his young life. Though Heathcliff loved his new family, he would never lose his street-wise, tough guy beginnings

Waterman commented, “When working in concert with the creators and rights holders, you are able to tap their wealth of knowledge on the character and ensure the storylines remain true to the brand and their global fan base. This will allow us to confidently present ‘Heathcliff’ to a new generation and excite fans with new stories and plots.” Waterman made the deal directly with rights holder, Peter Gallagher.

Additionally, Waterman Entertainment retains global licensing and merchandising rights to HEATHCLIFF which they will leverage through producing thirteen original episodes of the wisecracking cat’s adventures for television. TOASTER, ED and HEATHCLIFF represent an arsenal of existing and successful family brands that can be developed into live action/CGI feature film properties. Steve Waterman has served as an Executive Producer on theatrical features including CASPER with Universal; ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL and ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED with 20th Century Fox; and STUART LITTLE and STUART LITTLE 2 with Columbia Pictures.