EXCLUSIVE: With an animated series already in development, Sony Animation and Netflix are looking to expand on building on their Ghostbusters universe as sources tell Deadline the two are teaming on an animated Ghostbusters film. Insiders add that the project is in early development but said Kris Pearn is attached to direct.
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
The film is part of the expanding Ghostbusters universe, with the latest live-action feature, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empirereleased in March. Sony Pictures Animation and Netflix, in partnership with Ghost Corps, also are in development on a separate, all-new animated series based on the beloved IP.
Not only does the project mean to expand on the Ghostbusters universe, sources close to the development of this film see it as something that could do for the IP what the animated Spider-Verse films have done for Spider-Man. That franchise has delivered not only at the box office, bringing in more than $1.2 billion globally, but also earned several accolades including a Best Animated Feature Oscar for the first film. Bob Persichetti and Justin K. Thompson were confirmed this week as the directors for the final film in the trilogy, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Versewhich is deep into production.
As for Pearn, the director has strong ties to both Netflix and Sony Animation. On the latter front, he directed the hit 2013 sequel Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 and most recently helmed The Willoughbys for Netflix. He is repped by UTA and manager Jason Grode.
