The fourth film in Sony Pictures Animation’s successful ‘Hotel T’ franchise will bypass theaters, opting instead for a January 14, 2022 premiere in an exclusive global streaming deal with Amazon.
Well, it’s now official – Hotel Transylvania: Transformania will skip theaters and stream globally outside of China exclusively on Prime Video this coming January 14. AWN reported back in August on an unconfirmed Variety report that Sony Pictures Animation was opting to bypass a theatrical run for a deal with the streamer instead. Now, it’s a done deal. As the successful Hotel Transylvania franchise has grossed over $1.3 billion since 2012, the move should prove a big win for Amazon.
Franchise creator Genndy Tartakovsky returns as executive producer; the story is by Tartakovsky with a screenplay by Amos Vernon & Nunzio Randazzo and Tartakovsky. Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon direct; the film is executive produced by Michelle Murdocca and Selena Gomez, and produced by Alice Dewey Goldstone. Gomez also reprises her role as Drac's daughter, Mavis, alongside Andy Samberg, returning as Johnny. The film also features Kathryn Hahn; Keegan-Michael Key; Steve Buscemi; David Spade; Brian Hull (replacing Adam Sandler as Drac); Asher Blinkoff; Brad Abrell (replacing Kevin James as Frankenstein); Fran Drescher; Jim Gaffigan; and Molly Shannon.
“The success of the Hotel Transylvania franchise over the years speaks for itself,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Audiences around the world have fallen in love with the films created by the brilliant Genndy Tartakovsky, and the latest installment is the perfect ending to an incredible journey. We could not be more excited to work with Sony, Genndy, Jennifer Kluska, Derek Drymon, Selena Gomez, and the talented producing team to bring this funny, heartwarming film to our customers early next year.”
“The Hotel Transylvania franchise has been exceptional for Sony Pictures Animation, spanning nearly a decade and introducing the world to Genndy Tartakovsky's singular vision, and we’re so proud of what our extraordinary directors Jennifer Kluska and Derek Drymon have brought to this special property,” said Kristine Belson, president of Sony Pictures Animation. “These films have thrilled audiences and paved the way for so many artists working in CG animation, and now the family saga of Dracula and his daughter Mavis, son-in-law Johnny, and monster BFFs is coming to a close. We are thrilled to work with Amazon to bring this film to families everywhere.”
In the film, when Van Helsing’s (Gaffigan) mysterious invention, the 'Monsterification Ray,’ goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Samberg) becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis (Gomez) and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent.
Source: Prime Video
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
