Mention literary classics, and The Little Prince will likely be on the list. The beloved novella from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry has sold more than 200 million copies globally, becoming the second most translated work ever published with translations in over 505 different languages and dialects. Many decades later, its legacy still shows no signs of dying out, as a Chinese adaptation of its story is currently in the works.

As reported by Variety, media tech investment firm Stars Collective is joining forces with Shanghai-based El Pajaro Pictures to develop, produce, and distribute the new project. Details are sparse for now, but it will feature a hybrid animation approach that blends 2D watercolour techniques with 3D oil painting elements.
Li Jihong, who also served as the Chinese translator for The Little Prince, is helming the work-in-progress, which he describes as a ” new animation movie [that] will tell the entangling and intriguing story of the author and his masterpiece.” His 2013 translation has sold over six million copies to date.
First published in 1943, the novella follows a young prince who travels from planet to planet, including Earth, and his encounters with various eccentric characters — each offering metaphorical insights into human nature. Despite its child-friendly stylings and narrative, its thematic exploration of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss has resonated with more mature readers, cementing its status as a timeless classic.
No release date was announced for the new take on The Little Prince, joining a host of other adaptations spanning audio recordings, radio plays, live stage productions, feature films, shows, and ballet and opera performances.