Read an Interview With ‘The Peanuts Movie’ Director Steve Martino

See Charlie Brown and his best pal Snoopy take to the air in pursuit of the villainous Red Baron in The Peanuts Movie, zooming into theaters Nov. 6. Get a sneak peak at the loveable Peanuts gang making their big-screen debut in the trailer below.

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Recently, BL talked to The Peanuts Movie director Steve Martino about Beagle Scouts, 3-D animation and, of course, Snoopy. Scroll down to read what he had to say.

Is there any big action in The Peanuts Movie?

S.M.: There’s lots of action with Snoopy. It’s a parallel fantasy to Charlie Brown’s story where Snoopy’s the flying ace on top of his doghouse. They battle it out in a great rivalry in air battles over Paris and the French countryside with lots of planes. We also see Snoopy’s brother Olaf helping out in the air. And we get behind enemy lines. You’ll experience Snoopy and Charlie Brown’s world in a bigger way than you ever have.

 

The characters have traditionally been drawn in 2-D. You’re making them 3-D?

S.M.: That was a challenge. Some of the ideas of 2-D remain. So Charlie’s eyes don’t look like real eyes. They’re ink drawn and they have pen lines. They’re inspired by what Charles Schulz drew. There’s a 3-D aspect to the world, but a lot of it looks hand drawn.

 

We hear there’s a scene with Beagle Scouts?

S.M.: They’re a crack mechanic crew with Woodstock at the lead. They help Snoopy as the Flying Ace against the evil Red Baron. They’re kind of a helpful pit crew, and they move with great speed. But there’s always a big laugh with them.

 

Peanuts has been around for more than 60 years. Why is it still so popular in 2015?

S.M.: Charles Schulz dealt with universal feelings and emotions. Those things are just as relevant today as 50 years ago. It’s about how we feel about ourselves. It’s about our humanity. Charlie has the qualities of kindness, perseverance and that never-give-up attitude.

 

What was the most fun scene to work on?

S.M.: There’s a scene with Snoopy and a typewriter, which was done a lot in the comic strip and TV. But we don’t really use them today. So Snoopy and Woodstock try to figure out how a typewriter works. They love one another but they really get on each other’s nerves.

 

After working for three years on the film, who became your favorite character?

S.M.: I love Snoopy for his pantomime action. He’s so fun to animate. But I feel for Charlie Brown and can relate to him. But I love Linus, too, because he’s a wise best friend.