Kids' cartoon based on Charlie's shorts

Charlie Chaplin is to be revived as a cartoon character – with a series of 104 silent animated shorts.

The £7million project – which has the blessing of the Chaplin estate – will feature 3D-style computer animation aimed at children as young as six.

The six-minute episodes have been inspired by sketches from Chaplin’s shorts, but will also feature original ideas, the Indian-French production team has said.

Aton Soumache, chairman of France’s Method Animation, said: ‘We've been working for more than a year on the graphics concept to find an original way of adapting Chaplin's world.

‘It won't be a realistic portrayal but more like a puppet in an offbeat universe. We'll put him in modern situations but at the same keeping his poetic, child-like view of the world with a retro feel.’

Producers are said to be in discussion with British broadcasters about airing the cartoons next year.

It is not the first time French computer animators have had a bash at Chaplin. Here is a short from 2005 featuring his tramp character as if he was starring in some of Steven Spielberg’s best-known films:

Published: 8 Jan 2010