– Terry Pratchett’s best-seller to be a 2 x 120″ film
– David Jason to play role of Albert
– World’s first live action / CGI Discworld film
– The Mob Film Company commence filming in Romania

Sky One and RHI Entertainment are delighted to announce the commission of
Terry Pratchett’s worldwide best-selling fantasy fiction novel, Hogfather. The project
marks the first ever live action / CGI film of Discworld and its characters, and the
2 x 120″ HD film airs on Sky One in Christmas 2006. RHI Entertainment have secured
the international distribution rights.

Terry Pratchett has sold over 45m books worldwide and is the UK’s second most
popular author based on book sales, selling 2.5m a year (3% of the total book trade).
The British author’s Discworld books are translated into 35 languages and he has won numerous prestigious literacy awards, was named an Officer of the British Empire for services to literature and commands a huge fan base across the globe.

David Jason (Only Fools and Horses, A Touch of Frost) has been confirmed for the key role of Albert in the film and further high quality casting will be announced over the next few months.

David Jason said: “I am thrilled to be taking part in Hogfather – I am a huge fan of Terry Pratchett’s books and to play the part of Albert is going to be great fun.”~

Elaine Pyke, Sky One’s Drama Commissioner said: “Having been in development for nearly a year I am thrilled to announce this two part commission with RHI Entertainment for the first live action adaptation of a Discworld book. Terry Pratchett is one of the most successful authors of our time and his fantasy fiction will strike a chord with Sky One viewers. With the award winning Mob Film Company producing the series and the Moving Picture Company producing the computer generated effects, Hogfather is sure to serve up a visual feast this Christmas.”

Joel Denton, President and Distribution for RHI Entertainment, said “We are delighted to be working with Sky and Mob to bring this fantastic Terry Pratchett novel to a global television audience. We hope to continue to build our presence in the UK by producing more large event mini-series that utilizes UK talent and bestselling novels.”

Hogfather is adapted for the screen and directed by Vadim Jean {Leon the Pig Farmer} and produced by Rod Brown {Dream Team, Goal} and Ian Sharples {The Virgin of Liverpool} for the Mob Film Company. Elaine Pyke {Dream Team, Hex} executive produces for Sky One and Robert Haimi Sr. {DynotopiaI} is the executive producer for RHI Entertainment.

Hogfather is set to transmit on Sky One at Christmas 2006.