Yellow Bird Working with Nick Cave & Thåström on Adult Animation

Yellow Bird, a Banijay company, is working on Before They Were Gods, a new adult animation series featuring musician and writer Nick Cave and Swedish rock star Thåström.

Created by Måns Mårlind (Midnight Sun, The Bridge), with the support and backing of Cave and Thåström, Before They Were Gods is a story of a friendship between the two stars as young teenage boys, both unaware they will turn into rock gods in just a few years.

At just 14, they speak like idealistic adults with a discourse bordering on the philosophical. Thåström is a harsh existentialist, political and speaks succinctly. Cave is the opposite, a struggling Dionysian agnostic and a romantic dreamer who swims in words.

It’s set in Sweden, but all dialogue is in English.

The animation company Brokendoll is also on board.

Mårlind said: “This is a dream project that literally came to me in a dream. While asleep, I watched two of my musical heroes as young teenagers, drinking cheap beer while discussing love and the meaning of life. I woke up writing and have been trying to catch up with them ever since.”

Cave said: “Since I was never in Sweden in 1971 and haven’t ever met Thåström, I am obviously intrigued to find out what we never did.”

Thåström added: “I always wanted to be a cartoon hero.”

Stefan Baron, CEO of Yellow Bird, said: “Cool and darkly funny, Before They Were Gods will be a unique feel-good animation series for the international market. Måns Mårlind is leading the creative charge, and with the full support of legendary rock stars Nick Cave and Thåström, this is set to be an authentic adventure, with a killer soundtrack and storyline to attract audiences worldwide.”

Arvid Steen, creative director Brokendoll, said: “Creating a believable art style for adult animation is the holy grail for any animator trying to break new ground. Måns’ vision to bring the grittiness, detail, and richness of old Swedish comics into the musical worlds of Cave and Thåström is the perfect way to do it.”