Nickelodeon Plans $30m 'Legend of the Rings' Movie

Nickelodeon Films is to  make a $30m family film about kids inspired by the Olympics, based on a short produced for London's 2012 bid.

Nickelodeon's "Legend of the Rings" will focus on children who are inspired to greatness by watching the games, but it will also address the issue of failure.

The five-minute short titled "Inspiration," which was produced by British director Daryl Goodrich, has been credited with winning London the 2012 Olympics. Michelle Raimo of Nickelodeon learned about the film through Industry Entertainment, which represents Goodrich and his producing partner Caroline Rowland.

Goodrich said he is excited by the movie's potentially broad appeal.

"This can be a four-quadrant, five-continent movie," Goodrich said.

Goodman and Rowland are in Los Angeles hashing out a script. David Puttnam -- a producer whose Olympics-themed "Chariots of Fire" won four Oscars including best picture in 1981 is an adviser on the project.

Shooting is expected to begin in spring 2007. The film will be released prior to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.