'The My Little Pony Movie' Cast, Director, and Release Date Announced

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fans shall rejoice, as Lionsgate and Hasbro have shed light on previously unknown details about the upcoming My Little Pony animated feature, with finite details on the cast and crew and the day it will bow in theaters.

Deadline recently reported that the film – now officially titled The My Little Pony Movie – will arrive in theaters on November 3, 2017. The film will face hefty competition in the form of Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok and will also have to contend with Warner Bros./DC’s Justice League film a few weeks after.

As far as the cast and crew are concerned, fans will be happy to know that much of the same team from Friendship is Magic (minus Lauren Faust) will be on board for the feature film. In the director’s chair is Friendship is Magic director and producer Jayson Thiessen, who will direct from a screenplay by Friendship is Magic writer, co-executive producer, and story editor Meghan McCarthy. On the music side, Friendship is Magic composer Daniel Ingram will score the film with a live orchestra (as reported by Equestria Daily) and former series composer Steffan Andrews will also contribute to the score.

If that wasn’t enough, all six of the show’s lead actors will return in their respective roles: Tara Strong (Twilight Sparkle), Ashleigh Ball (Applejack and Rainbow Dash), Andrea Libman (Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy), Tabitha St. Germain (Rarity), and Cathy Weseluck (Spike). Joining them is Kristin Chenoweth, who will voice a new character.

The details of the plot remain under wraps but the gist of the story concerns the “Mane Six” ponies as they travel beyond Equestria to stop a threat that looms over their hometown of Ponyville.

Stephen Davis and Brian Goldner will produce for Hasbro’s Allspark Pictures.

This news is not only a firm confirmation that the movie will really happen, but is also a sign that Lionsgate is ready to improve its lousy handling of feature animation and make its mark in the industry – provided that Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League don’t sink them first.