May 3, 2022

Netflix terminated five animated series that were in development or in production

Netflix Animation has come under fire in recent weeks with the confirmation of a long-rumored project cancellation. Today, Netflix released a sizzle reel of new and returning films from its upcoming animated kids and family series.

Last week, as Netflix continues to be hit by poor first quarter earnings, it was confirmed that five animated projects in different stages of development and production have been canceled by Netflix and another reassigned as a feature film. The company also announced that Phil Linda, director of creative leadership and development for original animation, has been fired, along with several of his staff members.

Cartoon Brew has reached out to Netflix for comment. The company has reviewed the status of all six projects but has chosen not to go on record at this time.

Below we will look at the five projects that were cancelled by Netflix and one series that was to be produced as a feature film. It should be noted that several of the projects were cut in the last year and have little to do with Netflix's recent subscriber or stock market problems. Also, Netflix is still one of the largest animation production companies in the world, with hundreds of animated films and series in various stages of development and production. Of course, this is of little comfort to those who have worked hard on some of the projects that have already begun production.

Bone

Originally announced for 2019, "Bone" was to be an animated adaptation of Jeff Smith's hugely popular comic book series of the same name (1991-2004). The series won countless awards and was named one of Time magazine's top 10 graphic novels of all time; on April 20, The Wrap's Drew Taylor confirmed rumors that the Netflix adaptation had been canceled.

Boons and Curses

Announced last May, Boons and Curses was a comedy-action series created by Jaydeep Hasrajani and part of a slate of Asian American creators, Netflix Promoted by Netflix, the 2D series followed a great warrior from a mythical land. Hasrajani tweeted on April 29:

Hey everyone, a day has passed. I'll talk more about this later and respond to all the love and support I've received.

Dino Daycare

Dino Daycare is a 3D animated toddler series released in 2020 as part of a project directed by Chris Nee ("Doc McStuffins," "We the People"). It was to have been the fifth collaboration between Nee and Netflix. Nee tweeted his disappointment over the weekend:

A tough day for a beautiful show deep in production. Much love to Jeff King and the wonderful staff at Dino Daycare. I trust you will find a new home. But right now it's tough. DM me if you need the best writers in preschool.

Pearl

Announced last summer, Meghan Markle produced Pearl through Arkwell Productions, a company she and her husband, Royal Henry Charles Albert David, established for Netflix in fall 2020. It was a working title for an animated series to be This will be their company's first animated series. The series was still in the early stages of development when Netflix decided not to continue production.

Toil & Trouble

Emmy Award winner Lauren Faust ("My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic") was developing this original series about witches for Netflix and the show was not greenlit When the news became public, she tweeted her frustration.

A few weeks ago, Faust tweeted:

In the wake of The Wrap's Netflix Animation story that went viral, I want to thank all those who have expressed sympathy for my non-greenlit project, Toil and Trouble. I want to thank you. If it's any consolation, I retain the rights to my pre-Netflix T&T work. And perhaps we can get the band back together and share a new take on the world of witches and familiars wrapped up in a comedic adventure of heart, magic, and female friendship. Wish us luck.

Roald Dahl's "Twits"

Not Dead Yet. Originally developed as an animated series, the project is now being produced as a feature film.

In November 2018, Netflix made headlines when it acquired the rights to adapt Dahl's stories, including "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Matilda," "The BFG" and "Twits." Last September, the company acquired the Roald Dahl Story Company, giving it access to the British novelist's entire catalog of stories. The Twits is about a vile couple who live in a brick, windowless house and constantly play angry pranks on each other.

Other Netflix projects by Dahl include an animated series based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Taika Waititi (Ralph Breaks the Internet) and Phil Johnston, and another Waititi animated series based solely on the Oompa-Loompas, and an adaptation of "Matilda the Musical" by Sony and Working Title.

Despite, or perhaps because of, the dark clouds hanging over Netflix's animation activities with the confirmation that the above series has been canceled, the company today announced that new episodes will be added in the coming months, with the most high-profile children's and family-oriented animated The company released a sizzle reel that premieres many of the series.

Popular series such as The Cuphead Show, The Dragon Prince, and Pokemon Master Journeys will appear, while Everett Downing and Patrick Harpin's My Dad the Bounty Hunter, Daisuke "Dice" Tsutsumi's Oni: and Matt Fernandez's Daniel Spellbound.