The Peanuts Movie

The cast of The Peanuts Movie at the world premiere in Westwood, California. Noah Schnapp (center) plays Charlie Brown.

The Peanuts Movie, which hits theaters today, brings to life one of the most popular comic strips ever to appear in print. For decades, kids have found humor and comfort in Charlie Brown and his pet beagle, Snoopy. The characters sprang from the pen of Charles M. Schulz, whose comic strip, Peanuts, first appeared in newspapers in 1950.

Schulz, who died in 2000, was one of the most influential cartoonists in history, with more than 18,000 comic strips to his name. His son, Craig Schulz, has reinvented the Peanuts characters for a new generation of kids who may only be familiar with the holiday specials on TV. Craig co-wrote the screenplay for The Peanuts Movie with his own son, Bryan.

Director Steve Martino created the computer-animated 3D characters for the movie. Even though he used new technology, he wanted to stay true to Charles Schulz’s original drawings.

“I love to draw, I love to tell stories, and I got to do it in a big movie like this,” Martino said recently at a press event in Westwood, California. “My hope was to bring these characters to life in a bigger way than we’ve ever seen, but be truthful to who they’ve always been.”

“DREAM BIG”

Eleven-year-old Noah Schnapp voices the character of Charlie Brown. “It was a bit nerve-wracking at the beginning,” Noah said about his starring role. “But once I got into it, I had so much fun. I learned that you have to be very slow with [Charlie’s] voice.”

Alex Garfin, 12, is the voice of Linus, Charlie Brown’s younger, philosophical friend. Alex has words of wisdom not just for Charlie, but also for kids who might want to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. “If you don’t succeed, try, try again,” he said. “You may not succeed 99 percent of the time, but that 1 percent probability will take over, and you will get something.”

Francesca Capaldi, 11, who voices the Little Red-Haired Girl, agrees. “Dream big,” she said. “If you really want something, just go for it.”

Charles Schulz would be happy to see his own big dreams realized on the big screen.

MEET THE STARS

Watch Jeremy’s interviews with the cast and director of The Peanuts Movie.