Skydance Media Purchases Ilion Studios’ Animation Unit

Skydance Media has acquired the animation unit of Madrid-based Ilion Studios, forming Skydance Animation Madrid.

“The world is going through an unprecedented and uncertain time,” said David Ellison, CEO of Skydance Media. “Today’s acquisition marks the culmination of many months of work to build one studio across two continents, with the goal of creating the highest-quality animation, led by best-in-class talent from around the world. The addition of Skydance Animation Madrid to our portfolio of businesses underlines my passion and commitment to bringing iconic animated stories and characters to life from some of the most talented artists and voices in the industry.”

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Skydance Animation and to further collaborate with Skydance founder David Ellison and elite talent like John Lasseter and Holly Edwards,” said Ignacio Pérez Dolset, founder, president and chief creative officer of Ilion. “This is a phenomenal growth opportunity for our team in Spain and we’re proud to be an integral part of Skydance’s exciting future.”

Ilion Animation Studios creates state-of-the-art computer-animated feature films. The acquisition combines the creative capital of Skydance with Ilion’s talent roster, ensuring Skydance Animation’s full oversight of all production aspects.

Skydance Animation’s upcoming feature slate includes Luck, directed by Peggy Holmes (The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning) and written by Kiel Murray (Cars, Cars 3) and Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger (the Kung Fu Panda series); Spellbound (working title), directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek, Shark Tale) and written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin (Mulan [2020]) and Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King); and Pookoo (working title/currently in development), written and directed by Nathan Greno (Tangled) and produced by Jennifer Magee-Cook (The Princess and the Frog).