It will be the first British children’s film to be shot in 3D.

Fresh from the box office success of Street Dance 3D, UK based production and distribution company Vertigo Films is producing a second 3D live-action movie based on the children’s literary TV and stage phenomenon Horrid Henry.

Created by author Francesca Simon, Horrid Henry is the second most successful children’s literary character in the UK after Harry Potter with worldwide book sales of more than 16 million. It has been sold in 27 countries and turned into a TV show, stage play and computer game.

Vertigo is co-producing the feature version, which will be the first British children’s film to be shot in 3D, with Novel Entertainment, who hold the non film rights to the Horrid Henry brand. Vertigo has also enlisted the same 3D company which worked on Streetdance, Paradise FX Europe.

British director Nick Moore has signed up to direct the film, which is due to start shooting in October/November this year in the UK. The script has been written by Lucinda Whiteley, who will also be co-producing for Novel Entertainment.

Vertigo are currently looking for up-and-coming British acting talent to star in the film, which will focus on Horrid Henry as he wages his ever constant battle against the tyranny of adults and forms an unlikely alliance with his irritating little brother Perfect Peter and the infuriating girl next door, Moody Margaret.

The film is being slated for a 2011 release. Vertigo Films will also distribute in the UK with Protagonist Pictures taking international sales.

Producers for Vertigo, Allan Niblo and Rupert Preston said: “We are tremendously excited to be bringing one of the most loved kids’ characters to 3D life on the big screens for a worldwide audience.”

Lucinda Whiteley of Novel Entertainment added: “We’re delighted to be bringing Henry to life, in the truest sense of the word – for so many kids Henry already exists, but seeing him up on the big screen gives them the chance to meet their hero face to face. It’s a testament to the popularity and strength of the character that he can succeed so well in so many different forms, and we’re especially pleased to be working with such a strong production team, especially Nick Moore whose work we have long admired.”