StudioCanal is working with Paddington production partners Heyday Films, Media One’s Submarine and the Astrid Lindgren Company to expand its ambitions for Pippi Longstocking and develop a new animated television series based on the beloved literary heroine.
The 52 x 11 minute 3D CGI animation is being developed as a fresh, modern reboot of Lindgren’s fearless and funny redheaded character, and production is scheduled to begin in October. StudioCanal will handle worldwide distribution, while StudioCanal Kids & Family will oversee merchandising and licensing in France and the UK.
The new series will be written by award-winning screenwriter Sarah Duddy, whose credits include “The Night Before Christmas,” “Olga da Polga,” and “The Tulip Story.”
The story revolves around Pippi, who arrives in a small town with ill-fitting stockings, carrot-colored hair, freckles, a monkey on her shoulder, a large traveling bag full of gold coins, and a horse to carry her. For Tommy and Annika and the rest of the town, life will never be the same again.
This television project marks a major new chapter in the Pippi Longstocking series, which is based on one of children’s literature’s most enduring characters, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2025. The companies are also developing a feature film, Pippi Longstocking, based on the classic story, with David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Allison producing Heyday.
The new animated series is created by David Heyman, Rosie Allison and Rob Silva of Heyday Films, the makers of the Emmy and Annie Award-winning The Adventures of Paddington series and the feature films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru, with Paddington 4 currently in development.
Simon Quinn and Karen Davidsen, who produced three seasons of The Adventures of Paddington, will also produce. Ron Halpern oversees the project for StudioCanal.
The series highlights StudioCanal’s growing commitment to high-profile family series and literary IP. The company’s Paddington films are the highest-grossing independent family series of all time, grossing more than $800 million worldwide, including the latest release, Paddington in Peru, released through Sony Pictures in the United States. Studio Canal has also expanded the Paddington IP into a hit stage musical in the West End, an immersive experience on London’s South Bank, commercialization and a new animated film in development. That strategy has now been extended to “Pippi Longstocking.” Lindgren’s books have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, have been translated into 80 languages, and continue to sell 1.5 million copies annually.
Papa said: “It is a great honor to be entrusted with the keys to Villa Villecra by the Lindgren family and the wonderful Heyday and Studiocanal teams. As the daughter of a sailor who defied convention and took me from school to sailing around the world, I have always felt a connection to Pippi. We have so much fun celebrating women’s fierce independence, free thinking, and, of course, superhuman strength. With Astrid Lindgren’s great wit and warmth,” as our guiding voice, our goal is to ensure that Pippi remains a fun and empowering symbol for today’s children. This is a dream project. ”
“Astrid Lindgren’s story continues to grow its audience around the world, reaching new generations of children across markets, platforms and formats,” said Max Hallen, CEO of the Astrid Lindgren Company.
“Pippi Longstocking remains at the heart of that journey. Her courage, independence and playful way of challenging the world around her have been, and continue to be, an inspiration to children around the world for more than 80 years,” Hallen continued.
“Pippi Longstocking is a beloved icon for her unique and unpredictable worldview,” Hayman, Alison and Silva of Hayday Films said in a statement.
“Sunny, free-spirited, cheerful, contrasting, kind and fiercely resilient, she questions all the rules of the game and her originality is as refreshing as ever.” We couldn’t be more excited to work with the amazing and inventive animation team at Studio Canal to unleash Pippi once again in her own new animated series.” Heyman, Alison and Silva continued.
Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and CCO of Canal+, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the Astrid Linlen Company, Heyday Films and Submarine on the brilliant, timeless, fearless and unmistakable Pippi Longstocking.”
“Sarah Daddy truly encapsulates Pippi’s irrepressible vitality, iconic strength of character, boundless imagination and joie de vivre,” Marsh continued, adding that “Pippi” is “an inspiration to so many people around the world. Pippi is a beloved literary icon and we are determined to celebrate Astrid Lindgren’s legacy, and Pippi herself, with our ambitious new animated series.”
Bruno Felix, Submarine’s managing director, said: “Pippi has long held a special place in my heart. As a child I watched Pippi every weekend on TV and later shared Astrid Lindgren’s story with my own children.”
Fans include Michelle Obama, who recalled on TODAY’s Jenna Bush’s “Open Book” video series in 2019 that Pippi Longstocking was the first book she ever loved. President Obama said he was “really fascinated by this strong young girl at the center of everything.” “And she was almost magical in a way. I mean, she was stronger and tougher than anyone else. She had superhuman strength.”
StudioCanal is also working with Heyman and Mr. Men Limited to develop a feature film based on the iconic book Mr. Men, Little Miss. Finally, the company is reteaming with Aardman Animation’s Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of the Mossy Bottom, which will be released in the U.S. via GKIDS on September 18th. The first Shaun the Sheep film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and grossed more than $100 million worldwide.
