The Batman star Andy Serkis has opened up about his upcoming animated feature Animal Farm, a comedy-adventure film set for release in 2025.
The movie is based on George Orwell’s iconic 1945 novel — a powerful satirical allegory reflecting the Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union’s descent under Joseph Stalin.
Speaking to Variety, Serkis revealed why animation was chosen over live-action for this complex adaptation. “We started to work on it and did a lot of experimenting, which led us to realize that animation was the right medium for this adaptation,” Serkis explained.
The actor and director emphasized that animation allowed the film to maintain the innocence of Orwell’s storytelling while conveying deeper themes. “That allowed us to keep the innocence of the storytelling that the original book had, while being able to say much more than live action would allow us to do,” he added.
Serkis believes that a live-action version would have felt too dark from the very beginning. In contrast, animation provided the creative freedom to emotionally connect with the characters while presenting the narrative in a more accessible way for younger audiences.
The novel Animal Farm tells the story of a group of farm animals who overthrow their human owner in a quest to build an equal society. However, their revolution slowly unravels into a new tyranny, mirroring the rise of oppressive regimes in real-world history.
The upcoming film boasts a star-studded voice cast, including Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Kieran Culkin, and Seth Rogen — all lending their talents to bring the animated characters to life.
Blending political satire with child-friendly storytelling, Serkis’s Animal Farm aims to introduce Orwell’s powerful message to a new generation. With its unique artistic approach and emotional depth, the 2025 animated adaptation is set to spark both thought and entertainment when it hits the screens next year.