‘Mulan’ Director Tony Bancroft to Helm ‘Minibots’ Animated Feature – AFM

Toonz Media Group has teamed with Evolutionary Films and Mojo Global Arts on “Minibots,” a new animated feature targeting family audiences, with “Mulan” director Tony Bancroft at the helm. The project, set for release in 2026, was unveiled for pre-sales at AFM 2024.

“Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” scribe Michael Ferris wrote the screenplay, which follows three young geniuses at a summer robotics camp who create sentient mini robots. The story tracks their efforts to protect their creations from a powerful tech company seeking to acquire the technology.

Toonz Media Group CEO P. Jayakumar said the collaboration with Evolutionary Films and Mojo Global Arts “has been a fantastic experience,” expressing confidence in the film’s potential in the global family entertainment market, describing it as a “lively, fun adventure.”

John Adams of Evolutionary Films emphasized the project’s broad appeal: “‘Minibots’ is a story that connects with the entire family. On the surface it is about clever kids who code robots, but the real message is one of collaboration, self-expression and discovery.”

Mojo Global Arts’ Sharon Wisnia noted that “the teens in the movie are relevant today, navigating new friendships while balancing technology and coming into their own.”

The film is the latest addition to Toonz’s animation portfolio, which includes collaborations with Marvel on “Wolverine and the X-Men” and with Lionsgate on “Speed Racer: The Next Generation.”

The project brings together established industry players. Evolutionary Films has produced over 50 features and TV shows, including Paramount+’s “Curfew.” Mojo Global Arts is currently in production on “R.U.R.” with “I, Robot” director Alex Proyas, while their Fox/Hulu/ITV series “Murder in a Small Town” is currently airing.