Studiocanal is increasing its ambitions for “Pippi Longstocking,” teaming with its “Paddington” manufacturing associate Heyday Movies, in addition to Submarine and The Astrid Lindgren Firm to develop a brand new animated TV sequence primarily based on the beloved literary heroine.
The 52 x 11-minute 3D CGI animation is being developed as a contemporary, fashionable reboot of Lindgren’s fearless and humorous red-headed character, with manufacturing set to start in October. StudioCanal is dealing with worldwide distribution, whereas StudioCanal Youngsters & Household will oversee merchandising and licensing in France and the U.Okay.
The brand new sequence might be penned by the award-winning screenwriter Sara Daddy, whose credit embrace “The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland,” “Olga Da Polga” and “Tulipop Tales.”
The story will revolve round Pippi, who arrives in a small city with mismatched stockings, carrot-colored hair, freckles, a monkey on her shoulder, an enormous journey bag filled with gold cash and a horse she will be able to carry. For Tommy and Annika — and the remainder of the city — life won’t ever be the identical once more.
The TV venture marks a serious new chapter for the “Pippi Longstocking” display franchise on one of the crucial enduring characters in youngsters’s literature which celebrated its eightieth anniversary in 2025. The businesses are additionally in improvement on a “Pippi Longstocking” characteristic movie primarily based on the traditional story, with David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford and Rosie Alison producing for Heyday.
The brand new animated sequence might be produced by David Heyman, Rosie Alison and Rob Silva of Heyday Movies, the banner behind the Emmy and Annie Award-winning “The Adventures of Paddington” sequence, in addition to the characteristic movies “Paddington,” “Paddington 2” and “Paddington in Peru,” with “Paddington 4” at present in improvement.
Simon Quinn and Karen Davidsen, who additionally labored on three seasons of “The Adventures of Paddington,” may even produce. Ron Halpern is overseeing the venture for StudioCanal.
The sequence underscores StudioCanal’s rising push into high-profile household franchises and literary IP. The corporate’s “Paddington” movies are the highest-grossing impartial household franchise of all time, with greater than $800 million on the worldwide field workplace, together with the latest installment, “Paddington in Peru,” launched via Sony Footage within the U.S. Studiocanal has additionally expanded the Paddington IP into successful West Finish stage musical, an immersive expertise on London’s Southbank, merchandising and a brand new animated movie in improvement. That technique is now extending to “Pippi Longstocking” — Lindgren’s books have bought greater than 90 million copies worldwide, been translated into 80 languages and proceed to promote 1.5 million copies yearly.
Daddy stated, “To be entrusted by the Lindgren family and the brilliant Heyday and Studiocanal teams with the keys to Villa Villekulla is such a privilege. As the daughter of a seaman who overturned convention and took me out of school to sail around the world, I have always felt a connection with Pippi. I am having so much fun honoring her fiercely independent spirit, free-thinking ways and of course, superhuman strength. With the brilliant wit and warmth of Astrid Lindgren’s voice as our guide, our aim is to ensure Pippi remains a joyful, empowering icon for today’s children. It is a dream project.”
The Astrid Lindgren Firm CEO Max Hallén stated “Astrid Lindgren’s stories continue to grow their audience around the world, reaching new generations of children across markets, platforms and formats.”
“Pippi Longstocking remains at the heart of that journey. Her courage, independence and playful way of challenging the world around her have inspired children around the world for over eighty years and continue to do so today,” Hallén continued.
Heyday Movies’ Heyman, Alison and Silva, stated in an announcement, “Pippi Longstocking is a beloved icon, with her uniquely unpredictable way of seeing the world.”
“Joyful, free-spirited, playful, contrary, kind, fiercely resilient, she questions all the rules of the game, and her originality remains as fresh as ever. We could not be more excited about unleashing Pippi once again in her own new animated series, collaborating with a kindred spirit writer Sara Daddy, the brilliantly inventive animating team at Submarine, the Astrid Lindgren Company, and StudioCanal,” Heyman, Alison and Silva continued.
Anna Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal and CCO of Canal+, stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with The Astrid Lingren Company, Heyday Films and Submarine on the brilliant, timeless, fearless and unmistakable Pippi Longstocking.”
“Sara Daddy truly encompasses Pippi’s irrepressible life force, iconic strength of character, boundless imagination and joie de vivre,” Marsh continued, pointing that “Pippi” is an “inspiration to so many people around the world Pippi is a beloved literary icon and we are determined to honour Astrid Lindgren’s legacy – and Pippi herself – with our ambitious new animated series.”
Bruno Felix, Submarine’s managing director, stated, “Pippi has long held a special place in my heart: I watched her on television every weekend as a child, and later shared Astrid Lindgren’s stories with my own children.”
Followers even embrace Michelle Obama, who recalled in Jenna Bush’s “Open Book” video sequence on TODAY again in 2019, how Pippi Longstocking was the primary ebook love of her life. “I was really fascinated with this strong little girl that was the centre of everything,” Obama stated. “And she was almost magical in a way. I mean, she was stronger and tougher than anyone. She had superhuman strength.”
StudioCanal can also be growing a characteristic movie primarily based on the enduring “Mr. Men Little Miss” books, with Heyman and Mister Males Restricted. Lastly, the corporate is reteaming with Aardman Animation “Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom” which might be launched within the U.S. by way of GKIDS on Sept. 18. The primary “Shaun the Sheep” film was nominated for the most effective animated characteristic on the Oscars and grossed greater than $100 million worldwide.
