Brooke Bunny
Australian comic duo, The Umbilical Brothers will make their animated film debut as Arnie and Barney in the animated stereoscopic film, ”Maya the Bee Movie,” produced by Flying Bark Productions, the studio announced today.
Shane Dundas and David Collins aka “The Umbilical Brothers” join an already impressive cast list including Jacki Weaver, Noah Taylor, Miriam Margolyes, Richard Roxburgh, Justine Clarke, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Coco Jack Gillies, Andy McPhee and Joel Franco.
Arnie and Barney are a pair of accident-prone army ant misfits. Despite their eager intentions, their bumbling antics cause constant grief for the Ant Commander and their troop. On learning that baby bees Maya and Willi are missing and with no other soldiers to send, the Ant Commander reluctantly dispatches Arnie and Barney on a search and rescue mission, with hilariously silly results!
“The Umbilical Brothers provide great comedy throughout the film with silly, playful banter and a fun portrayal of characters that seem to find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. The natural and energetic dynamic between Shane Dundas and David Collins will offer great credibility to the comedy duo of Arnie and Barney and is sure to have audiences buzzing with laughter” said Flying Bark Productions’ Managing Director, Jim Ballantine.
Set against the backdrop of a longstanding conflict between bees and hornets, Maya is born into a world of order and rules. Her hilariously awkward attempts to fit in and “be a bee” immediately bring her into trouble with the narrow minded Buzzlina. When Maya stumbles onto Buzzlina’s plot to steal the Queen’s royal jelly and blame it on the hornets, the sly Advisor manipulates Maya into leaving the hive. With her best friend Willi tagging along, Maya buzzes out into the meadow on an exhilarating adventure of self-discovery. Where does she fit in? And how will she find a way to defeat the Royal Advisor and prevent a nasty battle between the bees and hornets?
The movie will be directed by Alexs Stadermann and is produced by Barbara Stephen and Alexia Gates-Foale as the Line Producer.
