'Rio' director outlines 'Ferdinand', possible live action film

After successfully creating the "Ice Age" and "Rio" franchises, renowned animator Carlos Saldanha is working on his next big project: an adaptation of the children's book "Ferdinand".

The book, published in 1936, was written by American author Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. It tells the tale of a bull who doesn't want to engage in bullfighting, and instead wants to smell flowers.

In Saldanha's eyes, the story tells more than that. "It talks about it's OK to be who you are and be different. You don't need to change," he said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

He's confident that the modern audience will accept the adaptation of the classics. "When a book becomes a classic, no matter where and when you read it, you're still gonna feel right."

"It is an old book but it is also a very current story that everyone can relate to," he said.

Walt Disney made a short animated film based on the story in 1938. Saldanha's version is scheduled to debut in 2017.

The animation director may also turn to directing live action "Rust", adapted from a post-apocalyptic novel of the same name written by Royden Lepp.

"The project is not green lit yet, but it's the project I am developing and I am looking forward to seeing if it is gonna happen. If it happens, it needs to be soon.

"It's something that I'd like to I have for future projects. It's trying to shoot an live action movie," he said.