Ava DuVernay and Warner Bros. Animation to Soar With the #1 New York Times Best-Selling Book Series “Wings of Fire”
(Burbank, CA) – Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and award-winning writer/director/producer Ava DuVernay are developing a high-end serialized animated family television series based on the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling book series Wings of Fire, from author Tui T. Sutherland. The Studio secured the exclusive rights to the sought-after publishing phenomenon for DuVernay in a highly competitive situation with multiple parties bidding for the middle grade fantasy book series, which thus far has spawned 15 novels, three graphic novels and four short stories.
WBA is producing the project with DuVernay, who serves as executive producer, through her ARRAY Filmworks production company. Dan Milano (“Glitch Techs”), Christa Starr, Tui T. Sutherland and WBA’s Sam Register (“Teen Tians Go!”) are also on board as executive producers.
With more than nine million copies in print and available in 16 languages, the “Wings of Fire” book series is an epic adventure set in a world entirely ruled by dragons. Across two continents and 10 tribes, the series explores vicious wars, enduring friendships, and heroic quests that span generations of fascinating dragon characters.
This marks the first animated project for DuVernay as part of her exclusive overall deal with the Warner Bros. Television Group. For WBTVG, DuVernay is currently producing the OWN/Warner Horizon Scripted Television series “Queen Sugar” and “Cherish the Day,” as well as the HBO Max/Warner Bros. Television pilot “DMZ,” based on characters from DC.
About ARRAY
Founded in 2012 by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, ARRAY is a multi-platform media company and arts collective based in Los Angeles. The organization currently operates a trio of branded entertainment entities including ARRAY Filmworks, ARRAY Releasing and ARRAY Creative Campus in partnership with its non-profit ARRAY Alliance. The organization’s mission is to amplify and advocate for social justice through cinema with a particular focus on the work of people of color and women of all kinds.
About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) is one of the leading producers of animation in the entertainment industry, producing and developing projects for multiple platforms, both domestically and internationally. WBA’s current series include “Animaniacs” for Hulu, “Green Eggs and Ham” for Netflix, “Aquaman: King of Atlantis,” “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai,” “Jellystone,” “Little Ellen” and “Looney Tunes Cartoons” for HBO Max, “Harley Quinn” and “Young Justice: Outsiders” for DC Universe, “DC Super Hero Girls,” “Teen Titans Go!,” “ThunderCats Roar” and “Unikitty!” for Cartoon Network, “Bunnicula,” “Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz,” “New Looney Tunes,” “Scooby-Doo! and Guess Who?,” “The Tom and Jerry Show,” “Wacky Races” and “Yabba-Dabba Dinosaurs!” for Boomerang. WBA’s full-length theatrical film, “Teen Titans GO! to the Movies,” was released in summer 2018. As home to the iconic animated characters from the DC, Hanna-Barbera, MGM and Looney Tunes libraries, WBA also produces highly successful animated films — including the DC Universe Animated Original Movies — for DVD, Blu-ray® and digital media. One of the most-honored animation studios in history, WBA has won six Academy Awards®, 35 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, a BAFTA Children’s Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, the HUMANITAS Prize, two Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards (honoring excellence in animation).
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Media Contacts:
ARRAY
Sharon Liggins, (213) 977-9020
sharon@arraynow.com
Warner Bros. Animation
Jeff Tobler, (818) 954-5062
jeff.tobler@warnerbros.com
Winson Seto, (818) 954-7674
winson.seto@warnerbros.com