Shane Acker Takes Thomas the Tank Engine

HIT Entertainment is moving forward with a feature film based on “The Railway Series” and, particularly, its most popular character, Thomas the Tank Engine . Deadine has the story and word that Shane Acker ( 9 ) will direct.

Thomas debuted in Rev. W. Awdry’s long-running books, but is best known today for the children’s television series, “Thomas & Friends”, which has been running since 1984.

Live action with effects by WETA, the film will skew for a slightly older children’s audience than the television series’ playschool age range and will feature a script by Will McRobb, Chris Viscardi and Josh Klausner.

“The tale will revolve around a pre-teen boy who has drifted apart from his father,” Acker explains, “The son is…