Arthur and the Minimoys: Animation Directed By Luc Besson?

I was so going to post this news on the same day as I posted The Transporter 2 article, but I got busy at work, and haven't had a lot of time because I'm moving out on Saturday, so there's been lots of prep work for that on my behalf.

It looks promising as far as animation quality, but the addition of Madonna in any project these days is quesitonable, whether you see her face or not...

Whatever happened to the Besson adaptation of the sci-fi novel THE ICE PEOPLE? Is he still involved with that or is it dead in the water? Perhaps it was too similar to the recent AVP (since Anderson was probably "inspired" somewhat by the novel when he wrote his screenplay.)

darkhorizons say this started film this past monday in normandy. they say this (to be precise) :

Luc Besson has started directing Mia Farrow and "Finding Neverland" star Freddie Highmore in his 3D and live action English-lingo kid's feature "Arthur." Shooting began in Normandy Monday at an imitation American-style house, and will continue through to July. French countryside is meant to rep New York state reports Variety.

Highmore plays Arthur, a little boy who turns to the help of the pixie-like Minimoys to help save his grandfather's house. Farrow plays his mum. Madonna, David Bowie and Snoop Dogg provide voices for the animated characters.

Two years in the making and with a Cannes 2006 delivery date penciled in, the pic is budgeted at 65 million Euros. An adaptation of successful kids books penned by Besson, it also reps EuropaCorp's first foray into the Hollywood-dominated world of big budget 3D animation.

Thanks to 'Hayley'.