There’s little doubt that Apple has taken its function because the custodian of the Peanuts franchise very significantly, and now it’s taking one other daring new step with a brand new full-length function movie for Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the remainder of the gang.
It is going to be the second film within the franchise, following 2015’s The Peanuts Film, which paradoxically can solely be discovered dreaming on Disney+ on account of rights points (though, like many movies, it may also be bought from iTunes). Nevertheless, will probably be the primary main Charlie Brown mission since Apple turned “the official streaming vacation spot for all issues Peanuts” (besides the 2015 movie).
Apple introduced the mission at the moment, noting that will probably be directed by Steve Martino, who additionally helmed the 2015 movie and is thought for his work on different animated movies equivalent to Horton Hears a Who! and Ice Age: Continental Drift. The unique story is co-written by the identical workforce from The Peanuts Film, which incorporates Craig Schulz and Bryan Schulz, the son and grandson of the legendary Peanuts creator, Charles M. Schulz.
Peanuts followers have been clamoring for an additional function for years, and this movie will carry pleasure to our thousands and thousands of followers around the globe.
Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz
Different members of the writing and manufacturing workforce embody screenwriter Karen Kirkpatrick of Hen Run, Smallfoot, and Over the Hedge, and producer Bonnie Arnold, a two-time Academy Award nominee identified for the The way to Practice Your Dragon franchise, and Toy Story, amongst others.
In response to Apple’s press launch, the as-yet-untitled movie will “see the Peanuts gang go on an epic journey to the Large Metropolis, studying the true which means of friendship, whereas assembly some stunning new pals alongside the best way,” as Snoopy and Charlie Brown “face their largest problem but.”
We will’t wait for everybody to expertise this heartwarming new journey with Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang within the Large Metropolis.
Tara Sorensen, Apple’s head of kids’s programming
Apple’s collaboration with Snoopy goes again practically to the inception of Apple TV+. In early 2019, Apple partnered with WildBrain (then referred to as DHX Media), which owns 41% of the Peanuts franchise via Peanuts Worldwide, with the rest held by Sony Music Leisure Japan (SMEJ) and the household of Charles M. Schulz.
The preliminary deal centered on producing instructional “STEM” programming equivalent to Snoopy in House, however the partnership was so profitable that it expanded the next yr to show Apple TV+ into the unique streaming vacation spot for nearly all the things associated to Peanuts — together with the whole catalog of iconic vacation specials.
Though Apple promised to supply classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas without spending a dime on Apple TV+ through the vacation seasons (and continues to take action), the transfer brought on some chagrin amongst Peanuts followers who had turn out to be accustomed to seeing them on ABC for years. Whereas going again to a for-profit broadcaster would have been out of the query, Apple struck a cope with PBS to run particular broadcast airings that first yr.
Nevertheless, Apple by no means supposed merely to sit down on the prevailing assortment of Charlie Brown specials. In the course of the 2021 vacation season, Apple unveiled the primary new Peanuts vacation particular in practically 20 years, respiration new life into the franchise with a heartwarming New 12 months’s Eve story centered on Lucy van Pelt.
This was adopted up with It’s the Small Issues, Charlie Brown, an Earth Day particular that featured Charlie Brown’s sister, Sally, To Mother (and Dad) With Love which explored Peppermint Patty’s struggles on Mom’s Day, and Certainly one of a Type Marcie that introduced the franchise’s most loveable introvert into the highlight.
All these have been produced in partnership with WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide; nevertheless, this new mission will characterize the primary “three-way partnership” between Apple and the 2 corporations. The partnership additionally allowed Apple to carry Snoopy to the Apple Watch in watchOS 10.
The brand new movie is slated to start manufacturing in 2024 at WildBrain Studios. It’s unclear proper now if Apple plans to guide with a theatrical launch for this one earlier than bringing it to Apple TV+.
Within the meantime, Apple can be providing free viewing home windows for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving on Apple TV+ on November 18 and 19 and A Charlie Brown Christmas on December 16 and 17. Nevertheless, each episodes and plenty of different Peanuts specials can be found to Apple TV+ subscribers anytime.