Netflix inks overall deal with Kuku Studios
David Farnor | On 14, Sep 2019
Kuku Studios, set up by a team of former Pixar creatives, has inked an overall deal with Netflix.
The multi-year agree,ment will see its key members – Alex Woo, Stanley Moore, Tim Hahn, and Erik Benson – exclusively produce animated films and series for Netflix. Their credits include Ratatouille, WALL-E, Toy Story 3 and Finding Dory, among others.
The team has has already lined up its first project for Netflix: Go! Go! Cory Carson, a preschool series based on the hit toy line Go! Go! Smart Wheels from VTech Electronics, which launches on Netflix early in 2020.
Go! Go! Cory Carson features Cory, a little kid car with an engine that runs on fun. Cory and his family live in the town of Bumperton Hills, a charming neighboyrhood filled with characters of all different makes and models. While navigating the winding roads of childhood, Cory’s eager and playful spirit sometimes veers him off course. Luckily his friends and family are always there to get Cory back on track.
“With Go! Go! Cory Carson, the creative team at Kuku proved that they can bring their vast cinematic experience into the preschool realm, and the result is a breathtaking show that we can’t wait to share with children and families around the world on Netflix,” says Melissa Cobb, Vice President of Original Animation for Netflix. “A lot of what’s in our creative DNA at Netflix is shared with Kuku, and Alex, Stanley, and Tim have for years honed their ability to tell timeless stories about beloved characters in visually innovative ways. We can’t wait to see what they do next!”
Indeed, Kuku’s first (currently untitled) animated feature film with Netflix, which explores the power and magic of dreams, has also been greenlit.
“We are thrilled to partner with Melissa Cobb, Dominique Bazay, Gregg Taylor, and the rest of the Netflix team,” adds Alex Woo, Founder and CEO of Kuku Studios. “Our mission at Kuku is to enrich people’s lives with stories that not only delight and entertain, but also inspire audiences to grow. Stories have been a vessel for wisdom across every generation and culture, and we are excited to add to the world’s rich collection. With Netflix’s emphasis on quality and their global reach, we can’t think of a better partner to craft our stories with.”