First Images for Sylvain Chomet’s The Illusionist

Further proof that Sylvain Chomet’s 2D animated The Illusionist is close to being ready (if rushed it could have played at TIFF), the pic may be put on ice for a 2010 festival release, but slashfilm.com have found a first set of images (to add to this one). No North American distributor has picked up the rights yet. 

The pic is based on an unproduced screenplay by the late, great Jacques Tati, this see a dying breed of stage entertainer whose thunder is being stolen by emerging rock stars. Forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theaters, garden parties and bars, he meets a young fan who changes his life forever. Themes deal with aging and disillusionment.

With a Cannes 2010 premiere, the film will avoid a confrontation with this year’s frontrunner: Pixar’s Up. In 2003, Finding Nemo was favored over Chomet’s The Triplets of Belleville for best animated picture.