Ricky Gervais audiobooks get animated, new EXTRAS on the way

Ricky Gervais has revealed on his blog that the exciting new set of audiobooks aimed at teaching that rounded headed monkey Karl Pilkington the theories behind such topics as Evolution and Space are to be turned into an animated show for U.S. television. This has no doubt come about because of massive amount of user created animated youtube videos made from the hilarious conversations from the Ricky Gervais Show Podcasts and XFM radio shows. Here's one featuring A Karl Pilkington Christmas...

And if that wasn't exciting enough, Ricky has also revealed his plans for 2009...

Steve is back from running round dressed as a fairy. We met today and tried to plan the next year. The film, the TV spin-off, Extras special, more audiobooks, the animation, This Side of The Truth and both our stand up tours. That's a lot to fit in when you only work 11 till 3. Steve asked if I'd consider working longer hours. I asked what he had in mind. "Well," he said "Maybe work till 7pm some days on the film." I said, "only on the days when I'm not acting." It was a deal.

The fairy referring to Stephen Merchant's role in next year's Disney family film TOOTH FAIRY starring The Rock which isn't due till next November.

Oh yes, there is a mention of Extras in that new entry. You may have thought last year's brilliant feature length episode of the Extras Christmas Special was the finale of that show but I actually think the amount of celebrities who have come to Gervais wanting roles in future episodes of the show has persuaded him to continue with it.

Recently he has spoken of Michael Douglas, Al Pacino and Danny DeVito showing interest in appearing in a new Extras... I wouldn't at all be surprised if the new special feature length episode involved his character of writer/actor Andy Millman trying to make his first film.

This would mirror Gervais' own Hollywood career path as we have just seen his first leading film role in GHOST TOWN and he has his first directing gig upcoming next year with THIS SIDE OF THE TRUTH.

So lots of great Ricky stuff to look forward to in the future. THIS SIDE OF THE TRUTH in particular has the chance to be a wonderful film. You may remember I reviewed the script earlier in the year (which the producers asked me to take down) and although not quite perfect, it wouldn't take much tweaking to transform that into a really poignant comedy/drama.

Much like GHOST TOWN was... but it's at least two notches better than that.

Oh and look for Gervais on Inside the Actor's Studio in January....