New animated anthology dives into the cultural phenomena of witches, and is based on the award-winning interactive experience ‘Baba Yaga’ that serves as a starting point for Episode 1; show is produced in collaboration with Disney Television Animation for Disney+.
Disney Branded Television and multiple Emmy Award winning Baobab Studios have teamed up on development of The Witchverse, an all-new animated anthology series for Disney+ based on Baobab’s acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning interactive experience Baba Yaga.
Disney Television Animation will oversee the project, working closely with Baobab; writer, director, and Baobab co-founder and chief creative officer, Eric Darnell (Baba Yaga, Madagascar, Antz) will executive produce.
The Witchverse is a global celebration of the international cultural phenomena of witches, their magic, and their universal connection to nature. Each “witch-i-sode” will comically explore and upend common misconceptions surrounding global witch mythology and lore from a mélange of cultures and perspectives around the world.
"We're inspired by Baobab's bold creative vision that redefines, deepens and expands storytelling about witches in a way that is transformative and entertaining and filled with humor and heart,” shared Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis.
Three-time Emmy Award-winning VR experience and animated short film Baba Yaga, which serves as inspiration for The Witchverse, is a contemporary portrayal of the Eastern European legend Baba Yaga, an enigmatic witch who uses her powers to stop villagers whose settlement encroaches upon her enchanted forest. The immersive experience is brought to life with illustrative 2D pop-up animation, as well as hand-drawn and stop-motion styles and explores themes of empowerment and environmentalism. Baba Yaga will serve as a starting point for Episode 1 of the new series.
“Disney is the ideal partner to be working with us on one of our most creatively ambitious storytelling endeavors," commented Darnell. "They uniquely have the ability to create entire new worlds like no one else on this planet, and in this collaboration, Baba Yaga has the potential to be a breath of fresh air for everyone who loves fairytales, both young and old, from different cultures."
Source: Disney Branded Television
