Picture: Netflix
Among the brand new animated films set to launch on Netflix in 2024 is Ultraman, a brand new entry within the long-running Japanese superhero franchise. Here’s every thing we find out about who’s behind the undertaking and the place it’s in improvement.
Note: This article was first printed in June 2023 and has been up to date to replicate new info.
Variety first introduced this new animated function movie in May 2021. Alongside the preliminary announcement got here a primary have a look at the upcoming film:
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This isn’t the primary time Netflix has delved into the Ultraman IP, with the streaming service being the unique residence to the anime collection that ran between 2019 and 2023 throughout three seasons, the ultimate of which arrived in May 2023.
Picture: Netflix
What to Expect from Netflix’s Ultraman Movie
Here’s what you may count on from the upcoming film in line with the official Netflix synopsis:
“Ultraman follows baseball superstar Ken Sato as he returns to his home country of Japan to pick up the mantle of Earth-defending superhero Ultraman. He soon finds more than he bargained for when he’s forced to raise the offspring of his greatest foe. Ken must go on a heroic journey, balancing parenthood, his estranged father, and the relentless Kaiju Defense Force to rise beyond his ego and discover what it truly means to be Ultraman.”
In an AMA on Twitter in July 2023, director Shannon Tindle revealed a number of key factors about what we will count on from the brand new Netflix film:
- There’ll be easter eggs for current followers of the property however the “primary goal is to create something that everyone can connect with.”
- Beyond Ultraman itself, inspiration for the film got here from, “Manga, Tohoscope films, Godzilla, the film Moneyball, my wonderful team.”
- Parenthood can be a key theme all through that “sometimes messy relationships between parents and children.”
- Teased a possible sequel suggesting that he’s acquired “more ideas”.
What Studios Are Working on Netflix’s Ultraman?
Netflix’s inside animation division is engaged on the undertaking alongside Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in partnership with Tsuburaya Productions.
Operating since 1975, Industrial Light & Magic is behind a few of the largest films previously few a long time not least Star Wars and Marvel initiatives. For Netflix, ILM has notably labored on the restricted collection Lost Ollie and The Sandman.
Tsuburaya Productions has been in enterprise because the mid-Sixties working totally on the Ultraman IP over these years. They’ve produced over 40 varied TV and film entries on the earth of Ultraman, each live-action and animated.
Picture: ymhafizh / Twitter
Who’s engaged on Netflix’s Ultraman film?
Shannon Tindle serves because the director of the undertaking, having beforehand launched the superb restricted collection Lost Ollie for Netflix with ILM. Tindle beforehand served as author and character designer on Kubo and the Two Strings and labored in varied positions on hits like Caroline, Turbo, and Megamind.
Speaking in regards to the film when it was first introduced, Tindle stated, “What began as an original story inspired by my love for Eiji Tsuburaya’s Ultraman somehow became an actual Ultraman film thanks to the incredible trust of the team at Tsuburaya Productions, and the support of the folks at Netflix Animation. We’ve assembled an all-star team and I can’t wait to share our unique take on Ultraman with the rest of the world.”
The director said in late 2022 that the unique concept for the film that can launch on Netflix may have taken “23 years” to get off the bottom in whole. The director stated he initially wrote “a film inspired by Ultraman and developed it at another studio. When we parted ways, Netflix came along and asked if I’d like to adapt the original idea into an Ultraman film.”
John Aoshima will function co-director on the undertaking, having first began as “Head of Story”. Before engaged on this undertaking, the animation veteran labored on titles like Netflix’s Maya and the Three, Kubo and the Two Strings, DuckTales and Gravity Falls.
Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima – Pictures by way of Twitter
Both administrators spoke about their ardour for the undertaking on the 2021 Tsuburaya Convention:
Tindle is writing on the undertaking alongside Marc Haimes, who beforehand collaborated on Kubo and the Two Strings.
Tom Knott, Sean M. Murphy, and Lisa M. Poole are producers of the undertaking.
Scot Blackwell Stafford will function the composer on the film.
Of course, all animation initiatives finally require a military of individuals engaged on varied phases of improvement and manufacturing. While not at all an intensive listing, listed below are a few of the individuals we’ve discovered engaged on the Ultraman function movie:
- Sunmin Inn as Art Director
- David Figliola as Previs Lead
- Rie Koga as Head of Story and Storyboard Artist
- Keiko Murayama as character artwork director
- Mark Anthony Austin as Previs Artist
- Michelle Shi as Creature TD
- Tim Adams as ILM Compositor
- Vinicius Favero as ILM Creature Modelleer
- Hayden Jones as ILM Visual Effects Supervisor
- Mathieu Vig as ILM Animation Supervisor
- Sean M. Murphy as ILM Visual Effects Producer
- Stefan Drury as ILM Executive Visual Effects Producer
- Jimmy Hieu Do as ILM Jr Motion Capture Technical Director
- Mandy Mok as ILM Lead Animator
- Julien Lasbleiz as as ILM Sequence Lead / Senior Lighting Artist
- Minako Tomigahara (Tomi) as Visual Development Artist
- Cristina Fabular as Production Coordinator
We confirmed a sneak peek of the movie at work immediately. This is me surrounded by our sensible artistic management crew. We even have an excellent manufacturing crew. #Ultraman #Netflix pic.twitter.com/iad2YIkjn4
— Shannon Tindle (@ShannonTindle_1) May 24, 2023
Who is solid in Netflix’s Ultraman film?
Beyond the director’s doggo, no solid members have been introduced as of but.
However, Variety initially reported that the “plan is for a mix of Japanese and Western stars, coupled with a large number of below-the-line talent from Japan.”
When will Ultraman launch on Netflix?
In April 2023, Netflix up to date us with a broad 2024 launch date for the film as a part of their animation 2023-24 slate reveal. Tindle has since clarified that the film is aiming for Summer 2024 launch date.
Other films introduced for a 2024 launch included Thelma the Unicorn, In Your Dreams, and Saving Bikini Bottom.
The film’s director may be very energetic on Twitter and constantly posts behind-the-scenes insights into the film’s creation.
Our first rating recognizing session on Ultraman! pic.twitter.com/hKyEKsKTJV
— Shannon Tindle (@ShannonTindle_1) April 26, 2023
In April 2023, for example, the director shared, “We are 90% animated and 50% lit” including that he additionally met with an “incredible potential collaborator.”
In July 2023, Tindle took to Twitter to share that they’d “wrapped animation” on the brand new film.
We have formally wrapped animation on Ultraman. To say I’m emotional is an understatement. I’ve labored with many of those animators since Ollie. The total crew introduced their A-game EVERY DAY.
From the underside of my coronary heart, thanks @ILMVFX and the superb Tony Fucile.
— Shannon Tindle (@ShannonTindle_1) July 6, 2023
We’ll preserve you posted on all issues Ultraman within the months and 12 months to return as we lead as much as its launch date. Are you wanting ahead to testing Ultraman on Netflix? Let us know within the feedback.