User-submitted post by Brandon Smith
Variety has recently reported that Korean animation firm Studio Mir, has agreed to a four-year contract with DreamWorks Animation spanning four animated TV series. Both companies will co-develop and co-produce the shows.
DreamWorks Animation has, more so than any other animation studio, been making very serious push into the TV world. If anything, its acquisition of the tween-oriented YouTube channel, Awesomeness TV, the formation of their own their own YouTube channel, Dreamworks TV, and its original programming deal with Netflix are prominent examples of just how serious it is tin pushing to diversify and strengthen its output beyond movies. And if this latest piece of news is of any confirmation, it seems that they are also just as willing to draw in an equally strong pool of talent as well.
Studio Mir is best known for their work on Nickelodeon’s The Legend Of Korra, which has recently finished streaming its third season online.
This comes as a very rare opportunity for Studio Mir, as Korean animation companies are normally sub-contractors on other animated shows. Here, Studio Mir will have creative input on the shows and will even serve as co-owners of the intellectual properties.
“The contract between DreamWorks and Studio Mir is a landmark in that it is a partnership of equals,” said Yoo-Jae Myung, Studio Mir’s founder and CEO.
Interestingly enough, each series is expected to be a 78-episode, 2D animated series. A while ago, we mentioned that Mr. Peabody & Sherman was possibly going to get a new TV series, which was also set for a 78-episode order. Coincidence?
Then again, the article didn’t really say anything about any pre-existing DreamWorks Animation properties being worked on with Studio Mir, and them being co-producers and co-owners seems to suggest that the four shows being developed (presumably for Netflix) are going to be original intellectual properties created and owned by both DWA and Mir. So a possible Mr. Peabody & Sherman TV show may just be something separate from what they are planning.
