Tove Jansson’s Moomin will finally be diving into the Hollywood big screen after 80 years. Their Helsinki studio, Moomin Characters, has entrusted Annapurna Animation to bring its comforting cast to an international audience. Studio CEO Roleff Kråkström is also happy to announce that Steven Universe’s Rebecca Sugar will be writing and directing the upcoming film. Here’s what has been revealed about the family’s 80th anniversary animated feature.
Annapurna Will Rely on Original Novel Source
The Moomin Characters’ blog informed the fans that the Annapurna adaptation will be based on Jansson’s original novels. They featured the hippo-like trolls and their friends having adventures in and out of Moominvalley.
Out of the 12 stories, Comet in Moominland became an animated feature back in 1990. The film was produced by Moomin’s anime producer, Telescreen Japan, and Dutch producer Telecable Benelux B.V. It served as an introduction to the 1990s series, which later became a retro hit to modern Jansson fans. The Swedish-Finnish writer greenlit the production after watching their commitment to stay true to her original chapters.
In 2014, Moomin Characters partnered with Finnish film producer Hanna Hemilä and French director Xavier Picard for the family’s 69th anniversary film. Moomins on the Riviera is based on Jansson and her brother, Lars, original comic strip. The 2D animation impressed the studio for capturing Lars’ art style well. With Sugar directing the 2025 movie, everyone is curious about which storylines she will use for Hollywood’s adaptation.
Rebecca Sugar as Director is The Greatest Call
According to her Instagram, Sugar has been a long-time fan of Moomin. The artist even has a mug of Moomintroll on her desk. “Humbled and thrilled to be directing [the franchise’s] new film,” she exclaimed, “This mug was on my every day while running Steven Universe.”
Kråkström and Annapurna picked the best person who could not only understand Jansson’s work but also support her beliefs. Throughout her adulthood, Jansson made multiple discoveries about her sexuality and life values.
She and Lars grew up in an artist household that influenced their careers. Their father, Viktor, was a sculptor, their mother, Hammerstan (Ham), was an illustrator and banknote designer for Finland, and their brother, Per Olav, was a photographer. Jansson later used their personalities to represent the Moomins. Moominmama, for example, has a kind heart but takes after Ham’s rebellious side when she needs breaks from responsibilities.
Jansson’s dating life contributed to how she spent her time to balance work and leisure. The series’ fan-favorite, Snufkin, is known to spend time in Moominvalley during the spring, as the hippo-like trolls were known to hibernate during winter. Atos Wirtanan, Jansson’s ex-boyfriend, became the character’s inspiration for he often traveled. While he chose never to settle down, they kept their friendship on great terms.
Soon, Jansson found herself loving women as well. Two of the most important women she dated were theatre director Vivica Blander and traveling artist Tuulikki Pietilä. These three lovers influenced Jansson’s outlook on gender roles, pleasure in small leisure, and emotional weight.
Sugar herself had a similar experience when she decided to become a musician and animator. Steven Universe has LGBT-identified individuals and supporters. Crystal Gem member Garnet represents the relationship between Ruby and Sapphire. Their romantic feelings allow them to fuse into one person. But fusions are also presented to show negative emotions, such as toxicity or abuse.
Her music career involves melodies that speak her thoughts or a specific character moment. In Sugar’s latest album, Lonely Magic, she expressed how each song ties to her real-life events. Her single ‘Ice Water’ tells the story of her carefree art student days. She has even dedicated a music video scene inspired by her husband, Ian Jones-Quartey, when they began dating.
Who Else is Joining the Moomin Film Project?
Sugar will be working alongside Annapurna’s Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein. Baird is mainly known as a Disney writer for Monsters University and Big Hero 6. Millstein is credited mostly for his visual effects in The Fifth Element. After they departed from Disney, they joined Annapurna and produced Netflix’s Nimona.
Family entertainment producer, Julia Pistor, will also be assisting with the Moomin film. Her studio is responsible for producing mainly two Nickelodeon movies, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie and The Rugrats Movie. Baird and Millstein voiced their excitement for their collaboration: “We can’t wait to introduce these beloved characters. The humor, the heart, and the subversive spirit of Tove Jansson will be brought to new audiences.”
