The Parisian production entity Good Hero has unveiled plans for Ballerina 2, the continuation of the 2016 beloved animated movie Ballerina, which was known as Leap! in the United States.
Work on the sequel is set to commence this month, coinciding with the decade milestone since the original movie’s debut. The first film was a global phenomenon, showcased in over 100 countries and amassing earnings of $120 million.
This announcement marks the beginning of Good Hero’s ambitious strategy to broaden the Ballerina franchise across various platforms such as movies, TV series, and digital channels, including YouTube.
The production of the film is led by Good Hero’s key figures Gregory Ouanhon (known for Sisu, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Replicas) and Laurent Zeitoun (Fireheart, The Intouchables, The Death of Stalin, C’est la vie, Aline). Zeitoun not only penned the screenplay but is also directing the movie.
Gaumont, which previously collaborated on Ballerina, will continue its partnership as the distributor for both French and international theaters, with a worldwide premiere planned for late 2029.
The original Ballerina featured the voices of Elle Fanning and Dane DeHaan in its English version, and Camille Cottin and Malik Bentalha in French. The plot centers on a young orphan who escapes her rural orphanage with dreams of becoming a prima ballerina at the prestigious Paris Grand Opera House.
According to Zeitoun and Ouanhon, the narrative of Ballerina continues to inspire and hold relevance, particularly its themes of female empowerment. They noted, “The film is a celebration of pursuing one’s dreams, showcasing the importance of perseverance, dedication, artistic expression, and authenticity in effecting positive change. We are eager to bring this enchanting and empowering story to a new generation of young girls who embody these ideals.”
Alexis Cassanet, EVP of International Distribution & Co-Productions at Gaumont, expressed excitement about continuing the journey with the Ballerina saga alongside Ouanhon and Zeitoun.
Cassanet highlighted, “Ballerina remains one of the most successful independent animated movies globally, thanks to its strong and timeless themes. The franchise has the unique capability to captivate audiences across multiple generations.”
In addition, Good Hero is developing an animated TV series set to follow the release of the new movie, as part of their digital expansion of the Ballerina world.
The TV series will be penned by the acclaimed British writer Andrew Burrell, renowned for his work on Matt Groening’s Disenchantment for Netflix and BBC’s EastEnders. Burrell has also served as Head Writer and Script Editor for the animated series Sasha and Milo and was behind the acclaimed reboot of Danger Mouse. He is currently represented by Independent Talent Group.
The expansion of the Ballerina 2 universe was part of Good Hero’s recent showcase at Cannes Market with StudioCanal/Mediawan, where they premiered footage from their upcoming animated feature, Wings of Freedom, featuring voices by Eva Longoria and Nicholas Galitzine.
The plot of Wings of Freedom is set in Mexico and follows Salana, a cautious harpy eagle and devoted teacher, who joins the vibrant Animal Air Force. Alongside the eccentric swift Lieutenant Pirro, she navigates challenges posed by the cunning AI, Eternity.
Other notable animations from Good Hero include Fireheart (also known as Vaillante), which was released in the U.S. on Hulu and featured voices by Olivia Cooke, William Shatner, and Kenneth Branagh.
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