Netflix is expanding its animation team and to move further, the streaming platform acquired the Australian animation studio Animal Logic.
Animal Logic is responsible for the films "Happy Feet," "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole," "The Lego Movies" and "Peter Rabbit."
Last year, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said that the company is strengthening its animation unit with the "hope to compete against Disney in family animation," according to Deadline.
Netflix's animation films includes "Over the Moon," Academy Award-nominated "Klaus" and the recently released "The Sea Beast."
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Netflix's Aims to Build World-Class Animation Studio
Animal Logic is located in Sydney, Australia, and for over 30 years, the studio has been producing design, visual effects and animation. In 2015, it put up a second studio in Vancouver, Canada.
Netflix already partnered with Animal Logic on "The Magician's Elephant," which is set for a 2023 release. The two companies are also working on "The Shrinking of Treehorn," a film by Ron Howard.
"Netflix has been investing in animation over the past few years and this furthers our commitment to building a world-class animation studio," said Amy Reinhard, Netflix Vice President of Studio Operations.
Reinhard added that Animal Logic, as a leading animation studio with innovative technology, will help strengthen Netflix's existing business. The animation studio will also increase the streaming platform's long-term capacity in the animation space.
The animation studio is run by CEO Zareh Nalbandian. Accordingly, its teams will keep on operating under its existing brand.
Nalbandian said that after 30 years of producing great animation, partnering with Netflix is the "perfect next chapter" for Animal Logic.
She added that the company's values and aspirations are aligned with Netflix as both companies believe in working with "diverse content makers, producing innovative and engaging stories for audiences around the world."
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Netflix Strengthens its Animation Team
The acquisition of Animal Logic put Netflix in an advantageous position to compete against Disney+ and the family-friendly animated films that it produced.
Strengthening the Netflix animation team is the company's means to improve the buildout of its "end-to-end animation production capabilities."
In April, Netflix announced that it will have an upcoming series based on the "Exploding Kittens" card game.
Unfortunately, the company stopped the production of some animated projects in May, such as "Wings of Fire," "Antiracist Baby," "With Kind Regards from Kindergarten" and Meghan Markle's "Pearl".
However, the two companies continue with the production of the "The Magician's Elephant." It is based on two-time Newbery Award winning author Kate DiCamillo's classic novel.
The film follows the story of Peter, who crosses paths with a fortune teller while searching for his long lost sister. He is then set on an journey looking for a mysterious elephant and the magician.
Another film that Netflix and Animal Logic are working on is "The Shrinking of the Treehorn." It is an animated musical film set in New York City during the holidays, directed by Howard and written by Rob Lieber.
Netflix's acquisition of Animal Logic is still subjected to regulatory approvals. It is expected to close later this year, according to Tech Crunch.
Netflix is quiet on the acquisition price for Animal Logic but said it will be funded by the cash on hand.
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