Ryan Coogler brings “Animorphs” back to life as Disney+ sets its sights on the next sci-fi franchise
Ryan Coogler is returning to franchise filmmaking, this time drawing inspiration from a cult classic that influenced a generation of young sci-fi enthusiasts. The “Animorphs” series is currently in development at Disney+, with Coogler serving as an executive producer.
The decision places the Sinners director at the helm of one of the most ambitious YA reboots in development today. Bayan Wolcott is set to write and executive-produce the series, as reported by Variety. The original series, crafted by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant, consisted of 54 installments published by Scholastic and garnered a dedicated following through their blend of body horror, themes of war, and coming-of-age conflict. The official logline maintains that vibrant energy: “Animorphs follows a group of teenagers who uncover a hidden threat lurking beneath their everyday lives, all while juggling relationships, curfews, and the chaos of high school.”
Coogler is not entering this venture solo. He is accompanied by his longtime creative partner and wife, Zinzi Coogler, as well as Sev Ohanian, all working together under their Proximity Media banner. Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman from Scholastic are also involved, with Simone Harris and Dezi Gallegos managing the development.
At its essence, “Animorphs” centers on teenagers who possess the ability to transform into animals following physical contact, all while covertly battling an alien invasion. The blend of identity, power, and paranoia resonates well within Coogler’s expertise, particularly as he delves deeper into genre storytelling.
With Coogler already working on a reboot of “The X-Files,” this latest development indicates a distinct trend: well-known universes, reinterpreted with heightened stakes.
