Captain Underpants director David Soren is lined up to helm the project, based on a concept created by veteran animator Chris Dicker.
Spin Master has revealed that its first-ever original film is in development, with veteran director David Soren (Turbo, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie) locked in to bring the family-friendly animated project to the big screen.
Notably, this film is not based on any existing Spin Master toy or entertainment brand. Financing the production itself, the toyco is eyeballing a 2029 premiere date.
Spin Master Entertainment president Jennifer Dodge teased earlier this year that her team was quietly working on this project, although it was billed as a series at the time. Describing what is now a film concept to Kidscreen, she says: "It's family-friendly, with lots of fun action, lots of comedy and a really heartwarming character story in a very beautiful landscape."
For now, Spin Master is keeping a tight lid on the four-quadrant film's plot details, but Ian Southwood (Nimona) is writing the script, based on a concept created by former JAM Media exec Chris Dicker (pictured), a veteran animator and the showrunner behind Jessy and Nessy and Becca's Bunch.
This marks the first time one of Dicker's ideas is in the works for a cinematic launch, and he's excited. "This project is incredibly personal to me, probably the most authentic piece of storytelling I've done," he says. "Having it be my first theatrical feature makes it all the more special."
This may be Spin Master's first original feature film, but the company has experienced a great deal of success with its movies based on existing IPs in recent years. Its first two PAW Patrol movies have collectively grossed more than US$350 million worldwide, according to box office tracker The Numbers, and a third (PAW Patrol: The Dino Movie) is set to premiere on July 24, 2026. The team is also developing a live-action Bakugan film.
Dodge, Laura Clunie and Toni Stevens -- all key drivers of Spin Master's PAW Patrol feature films -- are bringing their considerable expertise to the table as producers of this new animated movie project.