Character to toon 'Lizard'

Ani house snags rights to Moore novel for feature future

By VANESSA TORRES

Animation house Character Builders has acquired the rights to Christopher Moore's novel "The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove," to be produced as a live-action/animated feature.

In Moore's comic novel (Avon/Spike), described as "Godzilla Meets Northern Exposure," an ailing sea monster with a voracious sexual appetite disguises himself as a mobile home in order to recuperate in a California trailer park. He is nursed back to health by the resident loony, a washed-up actress.

Earlier efforts included New Line's "The Swan Princess," Par's "Bebe's Kids" and Nickelodeon's "Ren and Stimpy." For WB's "Space Jam," they supplied character designs, direction, storyboards, animation, effects and backgrounds.

Recent credits for Character Builders include Fox's "Anastasia" and "Invasion America," a DreamWorks production for the WB network.

Moore's previous books include "Practical Demonkeeping," "Coyote Blue" and "Bloodsucking Friends, A Love Story." He is repped by Nicholas Ellison Inc.