Mike Batt reveals big plans for the furry orange eco-creatures from Wimbledon Common, including a movie, new series and 'interactive experience'
Missing believed lost on Wimbledon common, the Wombles could be set for a big-screen return under the auspices of co-creator Mike Batt. The gentle, point-nosed eco-activists were a mainstay of British television in the 1970s, going on to enjoy film and chart success. And now, it seems, they could be back.
The British songwriter Batt recently gained a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings, the company that owns the creatures and is now angling for a major relaunch. Batt previously enjoyed a 50-50 share of the company with the estate of the author Elizabeth Beresford, who wrote the original Wombles story back in 1968.
"We have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience," announced Batt.
He added: "We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the Wombles the first time around and will be thrilled to see the brilliant high-quality animations and new musical productions we shall be mounting."
Batt cut his teeth writing songs for the Wombles' BBC TV show in the mid-1970s. The Wombles went on to enjoy a string of UK chart hits, including Remember You're a Womble, and featured in the 1977 movie Wombling Free, which co-starred Frances de la Tour and Bonnie Langford.
In 2011 the Wimbledon-based creatures were brought out of retirement to perform as a novelty act at that summer's Glastonbury festival. Michael Eavis, the festival's founder, later described the decision to book them as "a bit of a mistake". Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.
Missing believed lost on Wimbledon common, the Wombles could be set for a big-screen return under the auspices of co-creator Mike Batt. The gentle, point-nosed eco-activists were a mainstay of British television in the 1970s, going on to enjoy film and chart success. And now, it seems, they could be back.
The British songwriter Batt recently gained a controlling interest in Wombling Copyright Holdings, the company that owns the creatures and is now angling for a major relaunch. Batt previously enjoyed a 50-50 share of the company with the estate of the author Elizabeth Beresford, who wrote the original Wombles story back in 1968.
"We have plans for two new 26-part TV series, a feature-length movie and an interactive Womble World experience," announced Batt.
He added: "We think there are audiences of new children and international audiences who missed the Wombles the first time around and will be thrilled to see the brilliant high-quality animations and new musical productions we shall be mounting."
Batt cut his teeth writing songs for the Wombles' BBC TV show in the mid-1970s. The Wombles went on to enjoy a string of UK chart hits, including Remember You're a Womble, and featured in the 1977 movie Wombling Free, which co-starred Frances de la Tour and Bonnie Langford.
In 2011 the Wimbledon-based creatures were brought out of retirement to perform as a novelty act at that summer's Glastonbury festival. Michael Eavis, the festival's founder, later described the decision to book them as "a bit of a mistake". Reported by guardian.co.uk 2 days ago.