Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Signs First-Look Deal with Locksmith Animation

Warner Bros. Partners with Locksmith Animation for Animated Features

Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, under the leadership of Co-Chairs and CEOs Mike De Luca and Pamela Abdy, has entered into a significant first-look deal with Locksmith Animation. The agreement highlights Warner Bros.' commitment to reimagining animated features through strategic partnerships. The collaboration brings together Julie Lockhart (Founder & President of Production) and Mary Coleman (Chief Creative Officer) from Locksmith Animation with Bill Damaschke (President of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation) and Natalie Fischer (CEO of Locksmith Animation).

A Fresh Approach to Animation

Warner Bros. emphasizes its rich history in animation and its eagerness to explore new creative possibilities with Locksmith Animation. The studio's executives express excitement about the partnership, commending Locksmith for its unique sensibility and aesthetic.

The collaboration seeks to infuse Warner Bros.' iconic legacy IP with fresh perspectives while also introducing original animated features. The initial projects, "Bad Fairies" and "The Lunar Chronicles," signify the start of this innovative journey.

Promising Projects on the Horizon

Locksmith Animation's first marquee project, "Bad Fairies," is a contemporary London-based subversive musical comedy that centers around a rebellious group of fairies breaking all the rules. The screenplay for "Bad Fairies" is written by Deborah Frances-White, creator and host of the popular podcast "The Guilty Feminist," while Megan Nicole Dong, known for Netflix's "Centaurworld," is attached as the director.

"The Lunar Chronicles," the second project, is based on Marissa Meyer's best-selling novels and offers a sci-fi twist on Grimms' Fairy Tales. It follows the journey of four young women as they rebel against the tyrannical Queen of the moon, fighting for their own destinies in the vastness of space.

The writing duo Kalen Egan & Travis Sentell, known for their work on the Amazon series "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams," will pen the screenplay, and Noëlle Raffaele, director of "DC Superhero Girls" and renowned story artist, will be the director.

Locksmith Animation and Its Creative Vision

Locksmith Animation, an independent producer of high-quality animated features and series, operates from its locations in London and Los Angeles. The studio brings together industry veterans and exceptional creative talent in a filmmaker-led environment. Locksmith Animation's debut feature film, "Ron's Gone Wrong," received critical acclaim in 2021, and the studio is currently in production on their second feature, "That Christmas," written by Richard Curtis and set to be released on Netflix.

Conclusion:

Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group's first-look deal with Locksmith Animation signifies a significant step in their commitment to reinvigorate animated features. The collaboration aims to bring fresh storytelling, creative development, and innovative approaches to beloved IP. With "Bad Fairies" and "The Lunar Chronicles" as the initial projects, Warner Bros. and Locksmith Animation are poised to captivate audiences worldwide with their imaginative and engaging animated films.