ND Stevenson On The Process Of Adapting Nimona From Page To Screen

ND Stevenson is the creator of Nimona. He is a writer and illustrator, so Nimona holds a place near and dear to his heart. Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Kwan, the film features an all-star cast including Chloe Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed and Eugene Lee Young. Nimona begins streaming on Netflix on June 30

Screen Rant talked with nimona Creator ND Stevenson on the difference between adapting one’s own work versus someone else’s, as he did They are. He also revealed why he thinks Nimona resonates with so many people, what it was like to have an incredible voice cast, and how he felt when he saw the finished version for the first time. nimona.

ND Stevenson spoke Nimona

Screen Rant: I love this movie so much. Congratulations on the 100 percent Rotten Tomatoes critic rating. What does that look like?

ND Stevenson: Oh, my God, so good. I mean, we know it’s a really good movie, but it’s a nice feeling for everyone to see it and agree with us. I would say, “Pretty good.”

Screen Rant: What’s the difference between adapting your own work, versus someone else’s like Se-Ra?

ND Stevenson: The biggest difference is when you have to communicate something about it when it’s really, really close to the source material. It’s like they’re your kids, and your friends, and you. So there are moments where you have to do what’s right for the story, and not necessarily what reflects that personal nature of it. It has been really great. Being able to work with Nick and Troy and everyone else who was bringing fresh eyes to it. And I just enjoy the ride.

Screen Rant: What do you think about Nimona that resonates so much with everyone?

ND Stevenson: I think he’s something that’s in all of us that we don’t often express. That’s where I made him. When I’m having a bad day, I want to turn into a giant fire breathing monster. But it can’t. And he can. He reveals things. He’s very true to his inner emotions, and he has this way of expressing them physically. I thought he was a really personal character, and he is, but a lot of people relate to him. All kinds of people. I think we have a bit of Nimona in us.

Screen Rant: Can we talk about this cast? Everyone feels perfect for their character.

ND Stevenson: Absolutely. I always love that it’s like them. That they are. They all get to play these characters in live action. That’s obviously not the point, because it’s animated, but I see them in real life, and I’m just like, “That’s you. That’s you from the movie.” They are so perfect. I can’t express how perfect they are.

Screen Rant: How did you feel when you first saw the full film?

ND Stevenson: I’ve seen many different versions of this movie over the years. It went in a very different direction. When I saw the final movie, I thought, “Okay, this is it. This is it. It’s done.” I was blown away. I was there for the whole process. It’s not surprising, but at that point, I was like, “This is a really good movie.” I think I sent them an email that said exactly that in all caps. “It’s a really good movie!” And then many exclamation points. Exclamation points are still going.

About Nimona

When Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight in a futuristic medieval world, is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, the only one who can help him prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz), a mischievous teenager. Taste of Mayhem — who can also be a shapeshifter trained to wreak havoc on Ballista. But outside of the entire realm to get him, Nimona’s best (or technically only) sidekick Ballister can hope for. And as the lines between heroes, villains, and monsters begin to blur, the two of them start wreaking serious havoc — for Ballister to clear his name once and for all, and for Nimona… just for serious havoc.