Oscar winner Cher and Live Aid creator Bob Geldof are reportedly in talks to provide voices for an Australian animated feature, Fly Squad: First Strike!
For the Beaches star, this would be her first film role in nine years.
Fly Squad: First Strike!
Written and produced by filmmaker Anthony Maley, the story follows three unlikely insect heroes. They must make their way into a huge human chemical complex. They are in search of an antidote to a toxin that threatens the survival of their world.
Casting choices are clear, too. It is a referential nod to actual personalities.
Cher is reportedly in talks to voice the mother of the film’s main protagonist. Meanwhile, Geldof is set to play a rock legend and the organizer of “Insect Aid.” This last role is an obvious reference to Geldof’s real-life role in founding Live Aid.
Taking it to Market
The independently created, animated comedy is now in packaging, following post-meetings held in LA and Northern California. It is actively targeting a deal that would allow it to take advantage of Australian tax incentives. Talks are currently ongoing with additional stars in the works.
Both Cher’s and Geldof’s management is said to be handled by Kruger Cowne Management in London. Their co-founder and CEO, Mark Cowne, collaborates with Cher on their animal charity Free The World.
That connection was probably helpful when luring Cher into the gig. Geldof’s character has a similar personal touch. It is loosely based on his own background in activism and the political arena. Casting a real rock legend to voice a fictional insect version of himself is exactly the kind of quirky concept that animated films have leaned into in recent years.
Fly Squad: First Strike! is still in progress. No distributor and production dates have been announced yet.
However, striking two globally recognized names at the packaging stage is an impressive feat. This is especially true for an independent Australian animated film.
Regardless of the deal being signed, the hype around this one is creating a buzz. Animation fans and genre followers alike will definitely be interested to see where it goes.
