Apple and Skydance Animation partner for multi-year animation deal

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

I feel attacked. Just when I thought I'd gotten my subscription expenditures sorted out, Apple went ahead and inked a multi-year deal with Skydance Animation to deliver kids and families animated theatrical features and TV series. Of course, much, if not all the amazing content that comes from this union will stream on Apple TV+, which is making my wallet weep leather-infused tears. My bank account can only take so much, Apple. I cut the cable cord for a reason, dammit.

Per the deal, Apple has acquired Skydance’s upcoming animated titles Luck and Spellbound. Directed by Peggy Holmes, and written by Kiel Murray Jonathan Aibel, and Glenn Berger, Luck tells the story of what happens when an unlucky girl stumbles upon the never-before-seen world of good and bad luck. Once there, she teams up with magical creatures to uncover a force more powerful than even luck itself.

Meanwhile, Spellbound is a new animated musical with an original score from Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater. The film follows a young girl who sets out to break the spell that has divided her kingdom in two. It’s directed by Vicky Jenson and written by Lauren Hynek, Elizabeth Martin, and Linda Woolverton.

Additionally, Skydance Animation is making its TV debut on Apple TV+ with two seasons of The Search for WondLa, based on the book series by Tony DiTerlizzi. Per Goodreads, The Search for WondLa centers around Eva Nine, a curious and sensitive twelve-year-old who has existed only in a subterranean home called Sanctuary, while being cared for by a robot named Muthr. Eva's great desire is to go aboveground, and her wish comes true, though not as she had imagined. On the surface, Eva goes in search of other humans–she has never met one–and soon meets both friend and foe.

The Apple Original series will be written and executive produced by showrunner Lauren Montgomery, with Chad Quant, DiTerlizzi, and Gotham Group also serving as executive producers.

Welp, unless Apple plans on releasing these titles on Blu-ray sometime down the line it looks as if I'm gonna need to pony up. You might think I'm being dramatic, but animated films and TV shows are my jam, and each of these projects is a must-see for me. I'll figure it out, one way or another. Hmm, maybe I can start my own OnlyFans account. Yeah, that's the ticket.