‘Despicable Me’ Writer Ken Daurio to Pen ‘Zita the Spacegirl’ Movie Adaptation (Exclusive)

Writer Ken Daurio, known for creating hit animation series like “Despicable Me” and “The Secret Life of Pets”, is preparing to draft the screenplay for an upcoming movie remake.

According to an exclusive report by The Hollywood Reporter, Sycamore Studios has chosen Daurio to pen the script for their upcoming animated film titled “Zita the Spacegirl“, which is adapted from Ben Hatke’s popular graphic novel series with the same name. The production of this project is scheduled to kick off in early 2026. Notably, Jeremy Latcham, a former executive at Marvel Studios who has worked on movies like “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” and “The Avengers”, will serve as the film’s executive producer.

The story revolves around a girl named Zita who discovers an unusual gadget that transports her to an alien realm. In this strange land, she embarks on a mission to rescue her friend and potentially save the entire galaxy. This film represents the second major production by Sycamore Studios, a fresh entertainment company established by co-founders Christian McGuigan and Tim Reckart.

According to Sycamore’s chief creative officer, Reckart, Ken’s writing demonstrates that it’s possible not to compromise between evoking emotions and inducing laughter. His exceptional skill in infusing humor with emotional authenticity makes him ideal for adapting Zita’s tales into a captivating movie experience.

Daurio admires the emotional depth in Hatke’s original content. “I’ve long been eager to craft a tale about a small girl who has to save the world without any superpowers,” Daurio expresses. “Zita is courageous, humorous, and truly unique, which makes her captivating. I’m thrilled to accompany the audience on this adventure with her.

Cooper Waterman, head of production and distribution at Sycamore, commented, “Ken’s impressive background is undeniable, but what truly caught our attention was his deep emotional connection to the material. He possesses a unique talent for combining grandeur with authenticity, which is precisely what Zita needs to make an impact in today’s competitive market.

Daurio collaborated on writing the initial three “Despicable Me” movies alongside Cinco Paul, and recently teamed up with Mike White for the script of “Despicable Me 4”. The “Despicable Me” film series has now amassed over $5 billion at global box offices, making it the most successful animated movie franchise in history.

In 2010, the initial graphic novel featuring Zita the Spacegirl was released. Earlier, Sycamore had declared that they are working on a fresh adaptation of Doctor Dolittle, with screenwriters Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen (known for “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie”) being involved in this project.

Daurio is managed by Gersh and Carlos Goodman from Goodman Genow. The negotiations for this deal were handled by McGuigan, Waterman, and Brandon Milostan from Greenberg Glusker.

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2025-07-22 20:24