Toonz Boosts Slate Ahead of MIPCOM

LOS ANGELES: Toonz is producing a new series with Australian animator Steve Lyons and is working on two new live-action features based on R.L. Stine’s Mostly Ghostly franchise.

The Skinner Boys: Guardians of the Lost Secrets, created by Lyons, will be produced by former Moonscoop U.S. co-CEO. Toonz CEO P. Jayakumar said of the new show. “We are excited to have this relationship with a creator of Steve’s caliber. The relationship with Bill on this exciting property will allow us to ramp up our content business in concert with one of the most experienced and talented creators and producers in the business. We have the resources and commitment and have begun what we believe will be a very fruitful relationship."

The Skinner Boys is a 2D animated adventure series about three teen brothers who inherit the family business—protecting exotic “lost secrets” from falling into the hands of the nefarious Shadow League. It will be on offer at MIPCOM by Toonz’s U.S. based distribution operation, Toonz Entertainment USA, led by Matt Cooperstein.

Also on offer will be two new live action features based on R.L. Stine’s Mostly Ghostly, following the success of the first TV movie on Disney Channel. Plans are to develop a 26 minute spin off TV series. “Toonz is first and foremost all about strong entertainment brands," Jayakumar said. "In Mostly Ghostly we were able to bring together proven mega-brand creators author R.L. Stine and Hannah Montana co-creator Rich Correll and Dumb and Dumber producer Steve Stabler. In a business with so many uncertainties, this is a strong team and we are thrilled to be a part of it."