A feature film adaptation of the popular Clifford the Big Red Dog childrens book series is moving right along, but not without a slight change.  When the project was first announced, Universal Pictures planned to make the film in concert with the animated company Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me, The Lorax).  Now The Wrap reports that, though Universal is still moving forward with the pic, Illumination has dropped off and Chris Meledandri is no longer producing.  This might have something to do with the fact that the feature is now being envisioned as a live-action project, with the titular dog being the only CG-animated portion (as with Ted and Paul).

Nevertheless, movement continues as David Bowers is now in talks to direct from a script by Matt Lopez.  Bowers previously helmed the animated features Flushed Away and Astro Boy, as well as two live-action Diary of a Wimpy Kid sequels.  No word on when Clifford might hit theaters, but one imagines it could see a release as early as 2015.