The animal kingdom has gone bananas over Andy Serkis's radical reinterpretation of George Orwell's timeless classic, 'Animal Farm'. The veteran actor-director's animated adaptation – which sees Seth Rogen as the voice of a rather gassy pig – has kicked off a full-blown culture war in the US. It seems that Serkis's bold bid to breathe new life into Orwell's anti-fascist masterpiece has left some fans spluttering in disgust.
The film, which took 15 years to bring to fruition, was always going to be a bit of a marmite movie – and the polarised reception in the States has been no exception. Serkis, undeterred by the backlash, puts it down to the country's increasingly toxic political climate: 'The film didn't do well,' he admits wryly, citing the 11 million views on its trailer as evidence of a nation divided.
And then there was the red cap – yes, you read that right. At the US premiere in April, Serkis turned up sporting a bright red 'Make Animal Farm Fiction Again' cap, much to the chagrin of some critics who accused him of diluting Orwell's original message. Serkis insists it was all part of his plan to engage with the American audience – but now admits that the controversy may have put off some parents from taking their kids to see it.
Despite this, Serkis remains convinced that Orwell's themes of power, corruption and manipulation are more relevant than ever. He points out how the destruction of truth and the disconnect between leaders and the people they govern is eerily reminiscent of today's world – and warns that Orwell's warnings will continue to resonate for generations to come.
It's a testament to Serkis's dedication to bringing this iconic story into the 21st century, having spent over a decade shepherding it from script to screen. With its release on the horizon (dates TBA), one thing is clear: 'Animal Farm' has left no one neutral – and that's exactly what Orwell would have wanted.