Konstantin Feoktistov, the director responsible for the cartoons in the Three Heroes series, spoke about his ongoing enthusiasm for making films about legendary figures. He shared these insights in an interview with kp.ru ahead of the premiere of the new cartoon, Three Heroes and the Navel of the Earth.
He drew a comparison: a theater actor who keeps revisiting the play Uncle Vanya year after year may feel fatigue. Yet, working with the same beloved characters, brought to life on screen, offers a chance to fall in love with each character anew. They continuously find themselves in fresh situations, presenting a steady stream of creative challenges that keep the process engaging and dynamic.
Feoktistov did not rule out the possibility of introducing children for the heroes in future installments. He explained that the overall direction of the cartoons is shaped by the producers and their evolving plans for the franchise.
As an example, for The Navel of the Earth, various concepts were explored. Alexander Arkhipov, the editor at STV, suggested placing the heroes in a clash with dinosaurs, noting that audiences, especially children, have a strong affinity for dinosaurs. This idea illustrates how the series tests different adventures while staying true to its core characters.
The twelfth animated feature in the Three Heroes series is scheduled to release on December 28. Volga is handling distribution for the animation, with production carried out by the Melnitsa Studio. The prior film, Three Knights and a Horse on the Throne, hit theaters on December 30, 2021, marking another milestone in the evolving saga.
Three Heroes is a Russian animated franchise that follows the adventures of the three renowned heroes Alyosha Popovich, Dobrynya Nikitich, and Ilya Muromets. The first installment was Alyosha Popovich and Snake Tugarin, released in 2004. Subsequent films included Dobrynya Nikitich and the Snake Gorynych in 2006 and Ilya Muromets and the Robber Nightingale in 2007, expanding the mythic world and introducing new adventures for audiences to enjoy.
In reflecting on the franchise’s trajectory, the creator behind the original Three Heroes project emphasized the enduring appeal of these iconic figures and the importance of keeping the storytelling fresh while honoring the heritage of the characters. The ongoing interest from fans and the steady collaboration with studios and editors suggest a continued future for the series in Canadian and American markets, where audiences have shown a growing appetite for animated adventures with legendary roots. (Source attribution: kp.ru)