Several devoted readers of Margaret Moore’s Elf and Orc books have written to ask about the upcoming movie The Elf and the Orc from SiQuill Studios.
The movie is not endorsed by Larkwing Books, and we have had no part in its development. The characters of Elf, Dog, Bird, Stag, and a horribly re-imagined Orc have been used without permission.
We would like to address a few specific concerns that have been raised:
The Orc redesign
SiQuill’s Orc has been radically altered. Instead of the quiet, gentle, steadfast companion Margaret Moore created, the studio has produced a towering, heavily muscled creature with exaggerated proportions, unrecognisable facial features, and a permanently comic expression. This “buffer Orc” bears no resemblance to the character readers know—either in appearance or in spirit.
The removal of the central relationship
The emotional heart of the books—the bond between Elf and Orc—has been removed entirely. In its place the film presents a conventional “hero and comic sidekick” dynamic, with none of the depth, loyalty or tenderness that defines Moore’s work. We understand this has been upsetting for long-term readers, and we share your concerns.
Characterisation of Elf
Elf has been rewritten as a wisecracking New Yorker, delivering contemporary one-liners and pop-culture references. This is a complete departure from Moore’s Elf, whose voice is shaped by grief, beauty, and the slow, careful unfolding of trust. The studio’s version is simply not Elf.
Characterisation of Orc
Orc has been transformed into a large, bumbling, broadly comic figure whose mannerisms and dialogue strongly resemble certain well-known animated ogres of the early 2000s—minus the charm, and minus the dignity. This portrayal is entirely at odds with Moore’s Orc, whose quiet strength and devotion are central to the books.
What are we doing about it?
Larkwing Books remains committed to protecting Margaret Moore’s legacy. We have engaged legal representation from the firm of Silver, Starr & Westwood, and have launched proceedings to sue SiQuill Studios for the sum of US $10bn.
The strength of public feeling is such that questions have been asked in the House of Commons, and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has raised the issue with the Office of the US President.
We are grateful to readers who have written to us, and we will continue to keep you informed as matters develop.
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