David Farnor | On 05, Nov 2019

Netflix is unwrapping a special treat this November, with the premiere of its first animated original movie, Klaus.

The festive flick follows a failed student from the postal academy, who is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. There, he he finds an ally in a local teacher and discovers Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

The animated holiday comedy is directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, and boasts an impressive cast that includes Jason Schwartzman, JK Simmons, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso and Norm Macdonald.

You can get a closer look at – and sound of – each of them with the below teasers introducing each character:

Meet Klaus is (voiced by J.K. Simmons), a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. When he meets the new postman in town, Jesper, their unlikely friendship transforms their town. Catch Netflix’s first animated film, KLAUS coming to #Netflix November 15, 2019. #KlausNetflix
 

Meet Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman), a reluctant postman who is tasked with the impossible task of establishing a postal service in Smeerensburg. When Jesper forms an unlikely friendship with the carpenter KLAUS, they transform their town. Catch Netflix’s first animated film, KLAUS coming to #Netflix November 15, 2019. #KlausNetflix
 

Meet Alva (voiced by Rashida Jones), a teacher by trade who’s classroom is often left empty because of the age old family feud in Smeerensburg. When postman Jesper and carpenter Klaus team up to deliver toys to the town’s children, she finds her classroom transformed for the better.

 

Klaus premieres on Netflix on 15th November.

 

Watch: New trailer for Netflix’s Klaus

8th October 2019

Christmas is coming to Netflix early this year with new animation Klaus – and a new trailer gives us a first look at the family movie.

When Jesper distinguishes himself as the postal academy’s worst student, he is stationed on a frozen island above the Arctic Circle, where the feuding locals hardly exchange words let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up when he finds an ally in local teacher Alva, and discovers Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys. These unlikely friendships return laughter to Smeerensburg, forging a new legacy of generous neighbors, magical lore and stockings hung by the chimney with care.

An animated holiday comedy directed by Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, Klaus premieres on Netflix on 15th November. Here’s the trailer:

 

First look: Netflix Christmas animation Klaus

12th June 2019

Netflix is expanding its Christmas movie line-up this year with new festive animation Klaus – and a first image has landed to get you in the festive mood.

The hand-drawn film, from Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, tells the unofficial story of Santa’s origins, as a desperate postmen inadvertently leads to the creation of the mythical man in the red hat. The script is based on an original story by Pablos, with Zach Lewis and Jim Mahoney co-writing the film. The voice cast, meanwhile, is impressive, with Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons and Joan Cusack all on board to lend their vocals.

Schwartz man plays Jesper, the young, Scandinavian postman named Jesper who gets the chance to make his mark when he’s tasked with bringing the postal service to a contentious village in the cold north, where he meets a mysterious, white-bearded toymaker named Klaus.
 
Netflix’s first original animated film, the movie is a passion project for Pablos, who first came up with the idea for it in 2010, and was produced entirely in Madrid, Spain with an international crew comprised of some of the most talented artists from around the world.

The film introduces a unique animation style which blends traditional hand drawn animation techniques with cutting edge technology. You can get your first taste of that above with the first official image of the movie. Expect the rest of the film to land by December.

 

Netflix nabs hand-drawn animated film Klaus

19th November 2017

Netflix has nabbed the global rights to a new hand-drawn animated film, Klaus.

The film, from Despicable Me co-creator Sergio Pablos, tells the unofficial story of Santa’s origins, as a desperate postmen inadvertently leads to the creation of the mythical man in the red hat.

The script is based on an original story by Pablos, with Zach Lewis and Jim Mahoney co-writing the film.

“How is it possible there’s no story about the origin of Santa Claus?,” Pablos said in a statement. “He’s one of the most well-known and loved characters in the world! We felt this was a story that needed to be told and that there was no better way than with animation.”

The film has been in development for some time, with Pablos and his team taking a novel approach to combine hand-drawn and computer animation. Using digital tools to ensure lighting and texturing now expected from CG animated movies, the 2D visuals also boast the organic feel of drawing by hand, resulting in the following test, which Cartoon Brew published in 2015:

Now, Christmas has finally come for Pablos, who will make his directorial debut with the project. Netflix’s backing of the film makes it the first major US company in several years to fund a hand-drawn animated feature with a sizeable budget, notes Cartoon Brew.

The voice cast, meanwhile, is more than worth the price tag, with Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones, J.K. Simmons and Joan Cusack all on board to lend their vocals.

The film is produced by Tanguy Olivier, Gustavo Ferrada and Marisa Roman, with SPA Studios, Pablos’ animation studio, and Atresmedia Cine on co-producing duties. Jinko Gotoh (Netflix’s The Little Prince) is the executive producer, with Toon Boom Harmony providing strategic technological support.

Klaus is currently in production in Madrid, with Netflix eyeing a release ready for Christmas 2019.

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