By Ty Kelly
If you have Apple TV+ you have probably already caught releases by Skydance Media. Don’t miss upcoming releases for 2023 that are sure to take your breath away!
The animation studio aims to capture “wildly entertaining stories” to captivate audiences young and old. Viewers can capture the company’s inventive offerings on Apple. John Lasseter joined the Skydance team in 2019 after top creative positions at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. The new releases are sure to bear his mark and the company in general will benefit from his vast experience in entertainment.
Thus far Skydance Animation has released an animated short, “Blush,” and a feature film, “Luck.” In 2023, the new animation company is expected to release “Spellbound,” “Ray Gunn,” “Pookoo,” and two seasons of “The Search for WondLa.”
Catch These Releases
John Lasseter heads the creative team that brought us the following releases from Skydance Animation. He will also oversee projects set to release in 2023 and beyond.
Blush
“Blush” is a short, animated adventure featuring a stranded astronaut pursuing horticulture in space as he strives to survive on a desolate dwarf planet. The stranded hero meets an ethereal visitor and discovers the joy of building a life with another person. In the film, he realizes what a beautiful gift the universe has delivered for his salvation. This is the first offering from Skydance. The short film was written and directed by Joe Mateo, the Emmy award-winning creator who brought us Prep & Landing and Big Hero 6. This is a deeply personal story showing us the hope and healing power of love no matter where in the universe you land.
Luck
“Luck” tells the story of an unlucky girl who finds a world consisting of good and bad luck. Director Peggy Holmes introduces us to a force that supersedes the power of luck, and the tale features memorable magical creatures. The charming story was written by Kiel Murray and reminds us to appreciate the luck we have and to make the most of life wherever we stand.
Spellbound
“Spellbound” is an enchanting, animated musical featuring an original score. Composer Alan Menken and songwriter Glenn Slater tell the story of a young girl who must learn to defeat the magic behind an unlucky spell that split her family’s kingdom into two. She must fight to reconcile her kingdom before it is too late. Director Vicky Jenson and writers Elizabeth Martin, Lauren Hynek, and Linda Woolverton fill in the blanks and create an animated film that will leave you spellbound.
Rumors of What Else John Lasseter Has Up His Sleeve
News and rumors for 2023 include “Ray Gunn,” “Pookoo,” and two seasons of “The Search for WondLa.” Here’s what we know about these potential or ongoing projects from creative director John Lasseter.
Ray Gunn
Oscar winner Brad Bird will head up this project for the animation studio. It is described as a retro-futuristic detective story. This will be Bird’s first project since Pixar’s “The Incredibles 2” (2018). Don’t miss this reimagining of adventures set in a futuristic metropolis.
Search for Wondla
In this animated series, humans have destroyed Earth and aliens have taken over, with just one human left. The story is told from the viewpoint of Eva, the last human, and focuses on her relationship with Queen Ojo, an alien with whom Eva forms a special bond.
“The Search for WondLa” is based on popular books by Tony DiTerlizzi. Slated to be released as an Apple Original series, it features showrunner Lauren Montgomery. Author Chad Quant and Gotham Group will share the executive producer credits.
Pookoo
This project is still in progress and will feature writer/director Nathan Greno (“Tangled”) and producer Jennifer Magee-Cook (“The Princess and the Frog.”)
John Lasseter and the team at Skydance Animation are sure to surprise us with more news and rumors in 2023. Stay tuned to see what this creative personality has in store for Apple TV viewers!
