Source: Hollywood Reporter

Mike Johnson, who shared a best animated film Oscar nomination with Tim Burton for "Corpse Bride," has stepped in to replace Sylvain Chomet on Universal Pictures' animated feature THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Early work on the animation was done by Chomet, who had hoped to work on an animated film based on an unproduced screenplay by the late Jacques Tati while simultaneously working on "Despereaux." When that proved unfeasible, Johnson was hired to direct.

Gary Ross and Allison Thomas are producing via their Larger Than Life Prods. banner.