Skydance Animation Set to Release First Projects in 2022

By Staff Reporter - 24 Jun '21 16:20PM

(Photo : Skydance Animation Set to Release First Projects in 2022)

IMG has recently been appointed the global licensing rep for Skydance Animation and its slate of future feature films and television shows. With this multi-year deal, IMG will develop substantial product licensing portfolios for Skydance Animation's lineup.

"As we prepare for the debut of our first animation projects in the coming year, we are thrilled to be partnering with the world's premier licensing agency to develop consumer products franchises that extend our stories and characters across retail platforms," says Luis Fernández, head of consumer products at Skydance.

"Skydance Animation has assembled a team of legendary talent that is reimagining animation with some of the most exciting new feature-length film and series animation anywhere today," added Bruno Maglione, president of Licensing at IMG. "We're proud to be on the ground floor of what promises to be an incredible journey of bold new stories, worlds, and characters, and we look forward to building out engaging licensed product programs and experiences that bring them to life beyond the viewing experience."

This deal with the Endeavor-owned licensing agency is but one of many in a series of major moves by the animation company, as it has also recently penned a multi-year deal with Apple to produce content for its streaming platform, Apple TV+, where the animation company will make its television debut with two seasons of "The Search for WondLa" and premier its first two movies, "Luck" and "Spellbound," in 2022.

Skydance Animation is seemingly where the magic happens, as "Luck," directed by Peggy Holmes, and "Spellbound," directed by Vicky Jenson, both take place in enchanted realms.

"Luck" tells the story of an unlucky girl who stumbles upon a never-before-seen world of good and bad luck and joins forces with magical creatures to discover a force even more powerful than luck. The film will feature two-time Oscar winner Jane Fonda as The Dragon, the luckiest creature in the land.

"Spellbound," an animated musical, showcases the story of a young girl whose mission is to break the spell that has torn her kingdom apart. The original score for the film will come from another Oscar winner, Alan Menken, with lyrics by Glenn Slater.

With next-level creative talent and expertise behind each story and trailblazers like John Lasseter at the helm, Skydance Animation is in very good hands. A creative force to be reckoned with, Lasseter was hired as head of animation for Skydance Animation back in January 2019. He and Holly Edwards, president of Skydance Animation, will serve as producers on all feature films and executive producers on all series.

John Lasseter has written, directed, produced, and voice-acted in some of the most noteworthy animated films of all time. As a Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar alum, Lasseter had a key role in shaping classics like "Beauty and the Beast," "Frozen," "Toy Story," and many others, and even has the Oscars, including a Special Achievement Award, to show for his lifetime of creative success.