Staff Reporter | On 06, Nov 2018

Netflix is stepping up its animation game with the new adventure Jacob and the Sea Beast.

The seafaring epic, which has the kind of scale you’d normally associate with Disney or Pixar, is the next in Netflix’s growing line of high-profile original feature films – and the streaming giant has tapped a Disney veteran to do it. The Oscar-winning Chris Williams, who has previously worked on Moana, Big Hero 6, Bolt, will pen and direct the CG animation, marking his solo directorial debut.

Jacob and the Sea Beast tells the story of a charming seafarer who sails into uncharted waters and discovers an unlikely ally in a sea monster.

“Jacob and the Sea Beast is the kind of story I’ve always wanted to take on. It’s a tale of high adventure where our hero leaves the known world and ventures out into uncharted waters. As it turns out, I’m doing the same thing. I’m grateful for the opportunities provided by my former creative home and am excited to leap into a new environment. I feel a great energy at Netflix, as amazingly talented artists from a wide variety of backgrounds are coming together to build something new,” comments Williams.

“Chris is one of the most talented filmmakers working in animation today and his distinct voice comes through in this touching tale of ancient hunters who struggle to capture a beautiful, mythical sea creature on the high seas. His is precisely the kind of grand, adventure-filled story with smart and nuanced characters that we look for in family animated projects at Netflix,” adds Melissa Cobb, vice president of kids & family at Netflix.

Netflix expects the feature film to be released in 2022.

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