"Animorphs" Adaptation Takes Shape at Disney+ with Bayan Wolcott and Ryan Coogler
A television series adaptation of the beloved "Animorphs" book series is officially in early development for Disney+. Bayan Wolcott is attached as the writer and an executive producer for the project.
This new adaptation also involves Ryan Coogler through Proximity Media and executives from Scholastic, the original publisher.
Project Overview
The "Animorphs" TV series is being developed for Disney+ by 20th Television. Bayan Wolcott is set to write the adaptation and will also serve as an executive producer.
Executive producers from Proximity Media include Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler. Iole Lucchese and Caitlin Friedman will serve as executive producers for Scholastic, the publisher of the original book series.
The New Series Premise
The official logline for the upcoming series states it will follow a group of teenagers who uncover a hidden threat within their daily lives, while also navigating typical high school relationships, responsibilities, and challenges.
Reintroducing "Animorphs": The Original Saga
The "Animorphs" book series was created by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant. The narrative centers on five teenagers—Jake, Marco, Cassie, Rachel, and Tobias—who gain the ability to morph into any animal they touch.
This ability is acquired after an encounter with a dying Andalite alien, through whom they discover that Earth is secretly being invaded by a parasitic alien species known as the Yeerks. The teenagers form a secret resistance against the Yeerks and are later joined by Ax, a young Andalite.
The original book series consisted of 54 main titles, published between 1996 and 2001, along with several companion novels. The series has collectively sold over 35 million copies worldwide.
Key Creative Talents
Bayan Wolcott's previous work includes roles as a supervising producer on Hulu’s "The Testaments" and a writer for FX’s "Class of ’09."
Ryan Coogler and Proximity Media operate under an overall television deal with Disney, and Coogler is also involved in a pilot for an "X-Files" reboot.
A Legacy Continues: Past Adaptations and Future Strategy
This development marks the second television adaptation of the "Animorphs" book series. A live-action version previously aired on Nickelodeon for two seasons between 1998 and 2000. An attempt to develop an "Animorphs" film in 2020 did not proceed.
The project aligns with Disney+'s strategy of adapting young adult (YA) book series. The streaming service currently hosts the "Percy Jackson" series, which is entering its third season, and is preparing a live-action "Eragon" series. Disney+ previously streamed a "Goosebumps" series for two seasons.