The ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘The Lion King’ screenwriter will executive produce the ‘yarn-based’ animated reimagining, while John Rivoli joins as creative director; huge production will include over 200 6-minute shorts and 5 holiday specials.
Linda Woolverton
Kartoon Studios has announced screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) will serve as executive producer for Hundred Acre Wood's Winnie and Friends, based on the characters of A.A. Milne. John Rivoli, the consumer products creative known for his work on Harry Potter, Wicked, and Lord of the Rings, will serve as creative director. The two will collaborate closely to bring the reimagination to life on the screen and through retail.
“The opportunity to reimagine Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation is truly an honor,” said Woolverton. “These beloved stories hold a special place in so many hearts, including my own. I’m excited to craft fresh narratives that capture the warmth, charm, humor, and gentle wisdom, of the Hundred Acre Wood while introducing new layers of storytelling, celebrating the neurodiversity amidst these most special characters.”
“Bringing Winnie-the-Pooh to life in a fresh, visually enchanting way is an incredible honor,” added Rivoli. “The Hundred Acre Wood is a world filled with warmth, nostalgia, and charm, and our unique animation style will create an immersive experience that resonates with both new audiences and lifelong fans of A.A. Milne.”
The Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends represents Kartoon Studios’ largest production, with plans for more than 200 six-minute shorts and a package of five holiday specials. The adaptation will use a distinctive “yarn-based” animation style, blending AI and hand-drawn characters and backgrounds.
“Our new interpretation stays true to A.A. Milne’s vision while introducing fresh, heartfelt stories, highlighting the neurodiversity of Milne’s beautiful characters,” said Andy Heyward, CEO of Kartoon Studios. “With Linda’s creative brilliance and John’s artistic vision, we are poised to create a defining new chapter in the legacy of Winnie-the-Pooh. It is a particular honor for me to work with Linda, whom I had the privilege to work with early in our careers when she was one of the incredibly talented writers of the animated Real Ghostbusters series I produced.”
Source: Kartoon Studios
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—L'Wren brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
