Online animator Vivienne Medrano, aka “VivziePop,” creator of the musical series Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss — both of which started on YouTube before migrating to Amazon Prime Video — has signed on to write and direct her first theatrical film, Prehistoria, for Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.
Described as a “fossil fantasy animated musical” Prehistoria will be an original project, set outside Medrano’s popular “Hellaverse” universe.
“Since I began my animation journey, my biggest dream was to be part of a feature film,” Medrano said in a statement. “Now to be creating an original story that I have been holding for years with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, a studio whose characters and stories have been a huge part of my life, is truly a dream come true. I’m SO excited to share this fossil fantasy world with everyone!”
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke announced the project at a presentation at the Annecy International Animation festival on Monday. He presented the deal as evidence of WBPA’s strategy of collaborating with online creators with strong direct-to-fan connections to engage new audiences.
Prehistoria is being set up for theatrical release, with further details expected as the project moves through development. The film is part of WBPA’s new slate of original animation features, which include the upcoming original musical Bad Fairies, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ncuti Gatwa; and The Lunar Chronicles, an adaptation of Marissa Meyer’s best-selling book series. Both Bad Fairies and The Lunar Chronicles are being produced together with Locksmith Animation.
Medrano is repped by CAA, Redefine Entertainment and RLG.
