‘Steven Universe’ Creator Rebecca Sugar Set for Animated Feature From Annapurna, Moomin Characters (EXCLUSIVE)
Beloved around the world in books, cartoon strips, TV series and movies, the Moomins are coming to the big screen. Moomin Characters and Annapurna announced today that they are bringing the creatures to life in a feature to be directed and written by Rebecca Sugar (“Steven Universe”), above. It’s the first Moomin film produced in the U.S.
Julia Pistor, who was behind animated features including “The SpongeBob SquarePants” movies and “The Rugrats” films, will produce.
The Moomins, created by Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson during WWII, are gentle, rotund trolls who live in Moominvalley, a magical place where adventures are always waiting around the corner and the values of friendship, bravery and respect are ever-present.
The Moomins books, on which the film is based, have been published in more than 60 languages, with TV adaptations in 120 countries. A “Moomin” comic strip drawn by Jansson was syndicated in 40 countries.
“We are thrilled to partner with the talented Rebecca Sugar as well as Annapurna for this milestone new film. We are excited to see how this accomplished team will reinterpret the beloved Moomin stories and for them to be discovered and rediscovered by old and new fans alike,” said Roleff Kråkström, CEO of Moomin Characters.
“We’re honored to bring Tove Jansson’s timeless vision to the big screen” said Robert Baird and Andrew Millstein, co-presidents of Annapurna Animation, which saw success with “Nimona” in 2023. “Along with Rebecca and Julia, we can’t wait to introduce these beloved characters—and the humor, heart, and subversive spirit Tove brought to her work—to new audiences.”
Sugar is an animator, director, screenwriter, producer, singer and songwriter best known as the creator of the Emmy-nominated, GLAAD and Peabody award-winning series “Steven Universe” and animated musical “Steven Universe: The Movie” aired on Cartoon Network to rave reviews. She recently released her new album, “Lonely Magic.”
Rebecca Sugar is represented by UTA and Fourth Wall.
