Jason Reitman’s last couple of movies haven’t exactly impressed critics or audiences, so maybe a little change of scenery is a good thing. Reitman’s next project will be very different from his previous dramedies, moving the director into the realm of family-friendly animation for a story about an imaginary friend who isn’t really imaginary. Charming!

According to Coming Soon, Oscar-nominated director Jason Reitman will direct DreamWorks Animation’s Beekle, based on Dan Santat’s award-winning children’s book The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend. The story centers on Beekle, an imaginary friend that’s so incredibly singular and delightful that he couldn’t possibly be imaginary. The lovable character goes on an adventure to the world of people, where he sets out to find his very own human friend.

Reitman previously directed the Oscar-nominated films Up in the Air and Juno (the latter of which won Diablo Cody an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay), and delivered his best work to date with 2011's Young Adult, starring Charlize Theron (and also written by Cody). But Reitman’s last two films — Labor Day and Men, Women and Children — have been kind of disappointing and a bit bland.

A family-friendly animated feature is a complete 180 from his established work, and maybe directing a film so totally different from his previous films will inspire him to deliver something truly great again.

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