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Idris and Sabrina Elba, with Idris’ Green Door Pictures and Sabrina’s Pink Towel Pictures, are going to develop a dark fantasy animated series for Crunchyroll. The Elbas will be serving as executive producers.
The series–working title Dantai–will be an Afro-futuristic science fiction series. It will be set in a city where “the rise of biotechnology has created an ever-widening gap between the haves and have-nots.” Eventually, one person from each side of this divide is pitted against one another, in a story that will ultimately “explore equality and kinship within a corrupt society.”
In a statement made in the series’ press release, Joanne Waage, General Manager of Crunchyroll, said that she felt the current generation was exhausted from superheroes and was clamoring for something more.
“This development deal with Sabrina and Idris Elba is another example of how we’re working with best-in-class partners to bring in new audiences and tell fresh and compelling stories through a medium that transcends genres and generations.”
Late last year, Sony acquired Crunchyroll for over $1 billion. “The Crunchyroll team has done an extraordinary job of not only growing the Crunchyroll brand but also building a passionate community of anime fans. Crunchyroll’s success is a direct result of the company’s culture and commitment to their fans,” said WarnerMedia’s Chief Revenue Officer, Tony Goncalves, in the official statement.
“We’re really excited to be announcing this deal on our first anime,” the Elbas said in a shared statement. “We’re both fans of the genre and see a huge opportunity to create something unique for a powerhouse like Crunchyroll. The story of Dantai is our first collaboration as producers together and is one that is close to our hearts.”
