Over the past few decades there have been some amazing book series turned into movies including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. The latest book to add to this popular list is Wings of Fire. Ava DuVernay is set to executive produce an animated version of Tui T. Sutherlands Wings of Fire for Netflix.
The Wing of Fire books have sold more than 14 million copies globally. Netflix wants to start out with 10 40-minute episodes for the new project. The animated series began production last year, but due to COVID-19 could not completely finish and package the project for any streaming services, Despite the early challenges, the series is now ready to be launched.
The plot for the TV show will be identical to the one found in the book. There is a war going on for generations between the dragon tribes who inhabit the world of Pyrrhia. According to prophecy, five young dragons will rise and overpower its opposition, putting an end to the bloodshed and establishing world peace. The chosen Dragonets have been raised and trained since birth: Clay, Tsunami, Glory, Starflight and Sunny. In order to fulfill their destiny they must embark on a long journey to end the war.
Details about the production team for the show is now available. Dan Milano, Christa Starr and Justin Ridge are the executive producers and showrunners for the series. Milano and Starr are adapting the books for TV. Sutherland is also an executive producer. DuVernay, Sam Register, and Sarah Bremner will also serve as executive producers via ARRAY Filmworks who is patterning with Netflix. Warner Bros. Animation is also working on the project and will be where the artists’ illustrations will come to life through animation and voice over work.
“Within this epic book series from the mind of Tui Sutherland is an elegant saga filled with wisdom and wonder, exploring ideas of belonging and bias, camaraderie and community,” said DuVernay. “On behalf of my colleagues Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes of ARRAY Filmworks, we’re thrilled to partner with Netflix and Warner Bros. Animation for this dynamic adaptation where five young dragonets fulfill their destiny and show viewers how to fulfill their own.”
This is the first animated series for ARRAY. DuVernay and the company are also working on the DC Comics live-action pilot Naomi at the CW. DuVernay and ARRAY are also executive producers for the OWN shows Queen Sugar and Cherish the Day.
She also has previous experience with Netflix with the production of her series When They See Us, a project that explored the truth behind five young men of color who were falsely accused rape and had to spend an inordinate amount of time in prison. DuVernay created the series, served as executive producer and director of all four episodes. The series was nominated for 16 Emmy Awards and it won two, including best actor in a limited series for Jharrel Jerome.
“I am so immensely thrilled and grateful that Ava DuVernay is our Queen of Dragons (I’m pretty sure that’s the official title),” Sutherland wrote in a blog post. “Ava is someone who saves the world every day without waiting for any prophecy to tell her what to do.
I hope some of my dragons grow up to be just like her! And I knew the minute I met our showrunners, Dan Milano and Christa Starr, that they are funny, kind, super-nerd kindred spirits who 100% understand what I’m trying to do with the books. FanWings, you will love them, too! In their talented hands, I have faith the TV show will fulfill the dreams of all the people who’ve asked me that question over the years.”