Vicky Jenson will unite a kingdom in her next animated pic. The “Shrek” and “Shark Tale” filmmaker is set to helm “Spellbound,” a musical fantasy. Per Deadline, the Skydance Animation title is from a screenplay by “Maleficent” and “Beauty and the Beast” scribe Linda Woolverton and “Mulan” co-writers Lauren Hynek and Elizabeth Martin.
“Spellbound” focuses on a young girl tasked with breaking the enchantment that has divided her kingdom in two.
Animated musical vet Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”) will write the music and score. Lyricist Glenn Slater (“Tangled”) and music producer Chris Montan have also boarded the project.
“It is a true honor to collaborate with this team,” Jenson said. She emphasized that the movie’s musical elements add “so much depth and complexity to the emotions of our characters and this very unique story.”
“I’m thrilled to be united with so many talented collaborators and very much look forward to working with Vicky Jenson, Lauren Hynek, and Elizabeth Martin,” said Menken. “’Spellbound’ promises to be quite unique and inspiring.”
Jenson made her solo feature directorial debut with quarter-life crisis comedy “Post Grad.” Previously, she co-directed “Shrek” and “Shark Tale.” She won a BAFTA for the former, which is one of the domestic box office’s top-grossing women-directed films. Jenson’s other directing credits include episodes of “Our Own Devices” and “Firsts.” “Batman: The Animated Series,” “Animaniacs,” and “The Ren & Stimpy Show” are among her many art and animation gigs.
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” and “Alice Through the Looking Glass” are Woolverton’s most recent writing credits. She’s also known for “The Lion King” and “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.” Hynek and Martin’s live-action “Mulan” is directed by Niki Caro hits theaters July 24. The duo also wrote “The Christmas Ball,” now in post-production.