HBO Max & Cartoon Network Expand Pact with Mo Willems

HBO Max and Cartoon Network have unveiled three new projects through their partnership with the children’s book author and illustrator Mo Willems.

The titles include the animated series Unlimited Squirrels!, the CGI-animated rock special Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Special and a pilot order for the live-action immersive series Cat the Cat’s Show the Show Show with YOU the YOU! The new orders will be executive produced by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures.

HBO Max’s multiyear deal with Willems also includes the most recent live-action special, Mo Willems and The Storytime All-Stars Present: Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime!, and a collection of Weston Woods Studios-animated films adapted from his award-winning books, Mo Willems Storytime Shorts!

Tom Ascheim, president of global kids’, young adults and classics at Warner Bros. Entertainment, said: “Mo’s creative vision and profound legacy is a remarkable force that has the power to shape the future of kids’ and family programming. This collaboration is integral to reaching children and adults simultaneously in different and unique ways that are also incredibly fun for everyone.”

Willems said: “Thanks to my pals at Stampede Ventures and HBO Max I have been given an exciting opportunity to innovate with spectacular creative teams. It’s a joy collaborating and discovering how to bring these characters to the screen in fun, new ways. While each of the upcoming projects is different in scope and approach, they all focus on my guiding principle to always think of my audience, but never think for my audience.”

Greg Silverman, founder and CEO of Stampede Ventures, said: “Mo is an unparalleled talent and his ability to connect with kids and parents alike has been our great pleasure to support. We are thrilled to deepen our relationship with HBO Max as we help Mo bring to life three exciting worlds brimming with character that will delight audiences of all ages.”