Netflix Nabs Anticipated Movie From Rival Streaming Service
According to a write-up in The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has signed a multi-year deal with studio Skydance Animation, including exclusive streaming rights to the upcoming musical fantasy film Spellbound. The film was first slated to premiere on the streaming service Apple TV+ after the streamer inked a deal with the animation studio in 2021, though the companies have since parted ways. With this new deal, Netflix gains access to the entire catalogue of Skydance Animations, including a number of new and exciting projects.
Skydance Animation has been poached from Apple by Netflix, and the latter platform will debut the studio’s next film Spellbound in 2024.
This change comes as Netflix looks to revamp its current animation lineup, with a number of other anime projects being recently greenlit as well. Netflix is expected to premiere Spellbound some time in 2024, with additional Skydance Animations projects such as Pookoo slated to follow soon thereafter.
Spellbound is set to star voice performances from the likes of Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, and Rachel Zegler, with music by The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast composer Alan Menken.
Despite Netflix nabbing Skydance’s animated features such as Spellbound, the live-action leg of the company is set to maintain its pact with Apple.
Skydance Animation is headed by Former Chief Creative Officer of Pixar John Lasseter, with a back catalogue that consists of the 2022 Apple TV+ original Luck, as well as the 2021 animated short Blush. Now that the company has partnered with Netflix, Spellbound and Pookoo are only the beginning of a long animation relationship.
The animation studio has already announced plans to move forward with projects including the Brad Bird-directed Ray Gunn, as well as an untitled film based on the famed Jack and the Beanstalk story, helmed by Zootopia filmmaker Rich Moore.
Despite Netflix nabbing Skydance’s animated features such as Spellbound, the live-action leg of the company is set to maintain its pact with Apple. The live-action portion of Skydance is headed by Top Gun: Maverick producer David Ellison, and includes films such as Peter Farrelly’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever and the Chris Evans-led Ghosted.
As the streamer continues to pivot its business strategy amidst an ever-changing media landscape, there’s no telling what major shakeups could befall the streaming industry.
Netflix head Ted Sarandos spoke on the newfound partnership during a recent earnings call, saying that the streamer plans to reinvigorate its animation department as production schedules continue following the closure of the WGA strike.
Netflix has been looking to secure relationships with animation studios such as the Spellbound producers since they recently announced massive layoffs at their in-house animation department.
As the streamer continues to pivot its business strategy amidst an ever-changing media landscape, there’s no telling what major shakeups could befall the streaming industry. Netflix’s previous animation outings include such classics as The Mitchells vs. The Machines, Klaus, and the Oscar Award-winning Pinocchio, helmed by Guillermo del Toro.
Of course, Netflix and Skydance have worked together in the past long before it was announced that Spellbound would be premiering exclusively on the streamer. Skydance previously produced such massive Netflix hits as The Old Guard, Grace and Frankie, The Adam Project, and the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led FUBAR, which has been credited for reinvigorating the aged action star and former California Governor’s career.
As the combined efforts of Netflix and Skydance continue to collaborate on new exclusive projects, there’s no telling what animation powerhouses are soon to come.
