Collectibles brand Funko has signed an agreement with Rideback, producer of The Lego Movie series, Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, and AI-enabled entertainment company Spree to develop and produce film, television and animated content.
Under the agreement, Spuree (currently working on the “Magic Tree House” animated television series) and Rideback will serve as Funko’s content partners for Funko-led original projects across animated, hybrid, live-action, scripted and unscripted formats.
Funko’s brand portfolio includes Funko, Loungefly, and Mondo, all of which collaborate with existing IP and release original products from major media companies such as Disney, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Netflix.
According to the partners, the new agreement is “designed to unlock new storytelling opportunities rooted in Funko’s globally recognized brand and deep fan engagement while building a scalable franchise that can survive across screens, platforms and other consumer touchpoints.”
Specific projects will be announced at a later date.
The announcement comes as the Funko movie has remained in development at Warner Bros. for years.
“Funko is at the center of fan culture, turning beloved moments into collectible characters, and with more than 1 billion products in the hands of fans around the world,” said Funko CEO Josh Simon. “Rideback’s unparalleled ability to transform beloved toys and characters like Lego and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ into expansive, emotionally resonant stories makes them an ideal partner. We are excited to work with Spuree to open a new chapter in storytelling for Funko fans around the world.”
“Funko has built one of the most recognized and beloved pop culture platforms in the world,” said Jonathan Eirich, co-CEO of Rideback and co-founder of Spree. “Together, we see an opportunity to develop ambitious, creator-driven stories that honor the DNA of the Funko Universe while reimagining what it can look like on screen.”
Michael LoFaso, co-CEO of Rideback and co-founder of Spuree, added, “Spuree was founded to help storytellers and rights holders build premium content more efficiently and creatively. This agreement allows us to apply that vision at scale, combining innovative production workflows with globally resonant IP.”
