So far, Netflix’s animated content has been either big hits or even bigger misses. Their upcoming offering Nimona, about a teenager with the power to shapeshift, is slated for a June 30th release after going through the wringer for years stuck in development hell.
Nimona is helmed by directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, with a screenplay by Robert L. Baird and Lloyd Taylor. Based on the graphic novel by ND Stevenson, the story has been crafted by Baird, Taylor, Pamela Ribon, Marc Haimes, Bruno, Quane, and Keith Bunin. The voiceover cast includes Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, and Lorraine Toussaint.
Originally produced by Blue Sky Studios (who also created the Ice Age and Rio franchises), a former subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, Nimona faced setbacks and delays after Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox; allegedly due to its LGBTQ themes. Eventually, the film was cancelled when Blue Sky Studios shut down in April 2021. However, Annapurna Pictures revived the project the following year, with Bruno and Quane taking over as directors and DNEG Animation handling the animation. Netflix secured worldwide distribution rights.
While fans are happy Nimona finally gets a release, some have expressed disappointment at the animation style. Nimona is set to premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14th, 2023, and will be released on June 30th by Netflix.
Watch the official teaser of Nimona here:
