Kung Fu Panda's Mark Osborne to adapt Bone comic book

Mark Osborne is headed to Boneville.

The Kung Fu Panda and The Little Prince filmmaker is set to co-write an animated adaptation of the cult comic book Bone for Warner Bros., EW has learned. He will pen the script with Adam Kline and also serve as an executive producer.

Written, illustrated, and self-published by Jeff Smith beginning in 1991, the Bone comics combine the cartoonish whimsy of Disney movies and the epic sweep of The Lord of the Rings. The story follows three cousins — Fone Bone, Smiley Bone, and Phoney Bone — who are driven from their hometown and end up on a fantastical adventure.

Warner Bros. acquired rights to Bone in 2008, and Osborne and Kline’s involvement could reinvigorate the long-gestating project.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news, Osborne said, “Bone is very special and unconventional because it blends elements together that you don’t necessarily expect — soft, little comic characters and epic high-stakes fantasy adventure. To carry this into the cinematic realm presents both an opportunity to represent what readers of all ages have loved about the series, while pushing animated storytelling into exciting and different areas.”

Update: An earlier version of this story said Osborne was on board to direct the Bone movie, but a representative for the filmmaker tells EW he is currently on board as co-writer and executive producer only.