RAWR! Will Ferrell and Adam McKay Are Making a Manimal Movie

One of television's best characters to shape-shift into animals in order to fight crime is getting the movie treatment! Okay, television's ONLY character to shape-shift into different animals in order to fight crime is getting the movie treatment.

The 1983 series Manimal is being adapted into a film by Will Ferrell and production partner Adam McKay, Deadlinereports, with Jimmy Miller and Manimal creator Glen A. Larson also on board to produce. Sony Pictures Animation will fly its banner over the action-comedy, which will combine live-action elements and visual and animated effects.

'90s shows that need to make a comeback

Manimal is one of television's most bizarre products and has developed a cult following even though it lasted a measly eight episodes on NBC. Simon MacCorkindale, who died in 2010, starred as the dashing Dr. Jonathan Chase, a man who used his ability to shape-shift into any animal he chose to help a sexy female detective solve cases. Though Chase most often preferred the forms of a hawk or a panther, he also turned into a horse, a dolphin, a bear, and a snake during the show's run.

"I think it's right down our alley; it's what we do," McKay said. "It's tongue-in-cheek and has an action component, but overall it's a comedy."

Too bad the producers of the original series didn't realize that.

Would you watch Manimal? Which animal forms would you want to see? 

Watch This Tonight — See why Food Fighters is our editors' pick:

1:03

Watch Now