The last time Universal made a movie based on a Dr. Seuss book, it was the widely loathed The Cat in the Hat, which might have been the first nail in Mike Myers' career coffin. The film barely made a profit, but after Horton Hears a Who! was a surprise hit for Fox last summer, Universal must have figured they'll give it another shot anyway.

And this time, they're making it a message movie. Chris Renaaud, Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio will co-direct Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, an adaptation of the 1971 book about a greedy developer who robs an entire nation of their valuable Truffula trees. Variety writes that Chris Meledandri will produce for Illumination Entertainment, which he formed for Universal after leaving Fox Animation, where he produced Horton Hears a Who as well.

Paul and Daurio co-wrote Horton Hears a Who and worked with Renaud on the upcoming Despicable Me, which Renaud co-directed and the writing team wrote.