As I’ve mentioned previously, we’re big fans of Willliam Joyce’s Guardians of Childhood series in my family, so I’ve been watching the news of DreamWorks’ upcoming animated adaptation with great interest. I’ve had my doubts as to whether a mainstream studio can preserve the marvelous tone of the books, especially with all the constraints and expectations that go along with turning them into a cartoon — and after watching the first trailer, those doubts haven’t exactly disappeared.

Still, Rise of the Guardians looks like a fun time, even if it suggests that the movie will play up the action-adventure elements of the books at the expense of the saga’s thoughtful (and really quite beautiful) childlike spirit. I’m not sure I would have expected anything less, and really, when you hand an animation studio a version of Santa who grew up with Russian bandits, you’re going to get an action hero in return. Synopsis below:

Rise of the Guardians is being written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire (Rabbit Hole) and executive produced by Guillermo del Toro and Michael Siegel.  It stars Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law. More than a collection of the well-known childhood legends, Rise of the Guardians is an epic adventure that tells the story of a group of heroes – each with extraordinary abilities.  When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

Take a look here — but if what you see excites you, please do yourself a favor and check out the books. You and your children will love them.