Salma Hayek and Doha Film Institute to Adapt Khalil Gibran’s 'The Prophet' into Animated Movie

6:29 AM PST 2/23/2012 by Mimi Turner

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Each of the 89-year old-classic’s chapters will be directed by a different award-winning filmmaker, with Oscar-nominated "Lion King" director Roger Allers co-ordinating the process.

LONDON -- Salma Hayek has teamed up with the Doha Film Institute and Participant Media to adapt Khalil Gibran’s classic novel The Prophet into an animated feature for the big screen.

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The book of 26 poetic essays written in English by the Lebanese artist, philosopher and writer is divided into chapters dealing with the human themes of love, marriage, children, joy and sorrow, crime and punishment, freedom, friendship, good and evil, prayer, religion and death - amongst others.

Each of the 89-year old classic’s chapters will be directed by a different award-winning filmmaker, with Oscar-nominated Lion King director Roger Allers co-ordinating the process.

Pre-production will begin later this month with Salma Hayek producing, along with Clark Peterson and Ron Senkowski.

The Doha Film Insititute (DFI) is co-financing along with Participant Media, MyGroup Lebanon, FFA Private Bank, JRW Entertainment and Code Red Productions.

"The Prophet has been an incredible source of wisdom and inspiration for millions of people all over the world,” said Hayek. “Being of Lebanese descent, I’m particularly proud to be part of a project that will present this masterpiece to new generations, in a way never seen before.”

Among the directors already committed to the project are Oscar nominees Marjane Satrapi (Persepolis); Tomm Moore (The Secret of Kells); Joan Gratz (Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase) and Bill Plympton (Guard Dog and Your Face).

“We have a unique opportunity to also introduce a new generation to the profound works of Gibran in a way never experienced before,” said the Doha Film Institutes executive director Amanda Palmer

“It’s a passion project for everyone involved, led by Salma’s determination to create a truly collaborative artistic approach to this universally loved novel.”