Despite subscriber losses, Netflix has no intentions of winding down its foray into animation. The company has announced that it has acquired animation and VFX studio Animal Logic.
Netflix already has a few acclaimed animated movies under its belt with Over the Moon and Klaus as well as recently released The Sea Beast that generated 102 million hours viewed in its first 28 days.
Earlier this year, a report from The Wrap claimed that Netflix's animation efforts were faltering but the company is determined in its mission to take on Disney in animation.
Netflix has now acquired Animal Logic that has worked on Happy Feet, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, Peter Rabbit, and the LEGO movies. It has also created visual effects for The Matrix, Moulin Rouge!, 300, and The Great Gatsby.
- "Netflix has been investing in animation over the past few years and this furthers our commitment to building a world-class animation studio," said Amy Reinhard, Netflix Vice President of Studio Operations. "Animal Logic is a leading animation studio with innovative technology that will strengthen our existing business and increase our long-term capacity in the animation space, so that we can better entertain our members around the world."
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The Magician's Elephant is an upcoming animated feature film from Netflix / Animal Logic. Photo: Netflix
Upcoming animated features
Animal Logic's Sydney and Vancouver studios employ approx. 800 people, some of which are already working on upcoming Netflix animated features The Magician’s Elephant, directed by Wendy Rogers, and The Shrinking of the Treehorns, directed by Ron Howard.
Netflix said that it will continue to work with "many other studios around the world for animated series and film needs", while Animal Logic will continue to collaborate with longstanding studio partners.
- "After 30 years of producing great work with great people, this is the perfect next chapter for Animal Logic," said CEO and co-founder of Animal Logic Zareh Nalbandian.
Other upcoming animated feature films from Netflix include Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, Henry Selick’s Wendell & Wild, and a sequel to Chicken Run.
