HBO Max, Cartoon Network Studios and Lion Forge Animation Unveil 'Iyanu: Child Of Wonder'
HBO Max, Cartoon Network Studios and Lion Forge Animation have announced the development of Iyanu: Child Of Wonder, a new 2d animated children's series. Created by Roye Okupe, the series will be based on the graphic novel series published by Dark Horse Comics and YouNeek Studios.
The series is described as "an epic superhero tale steeped in Nigeria’s rich culture, music, and mythology." It follows a teenage heroine who must discover the mystery behind her newfound powers to save her people from an ancient curse.
Lion Forge Animation (producers of the Oscar-winning short Hair Love), a leading back-owned studio known for producing authentic stories for underrepresented groups, is financing and overseeing production.
Leading the writer's room is Brandon Easton (Transformers: War For Cybertron: Seige). Roye Okupe will serve as executive producer, director and writer on multiple episodes. Lion Forge's Head Of Production Saxton Moore will be the supervising director.
Heavily influenced by the history and achievements of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Iyanu: Child of Wonder is set in the magical kingdom of Yorubaland. The series follows a teenage orphan girl, Iyanu, who spends her days studying Yoruba history and ancient arts but yearns for a normal life. One day, responding to danger, she unknowingly triggers her divine powers, the likes of which have not been seen since the Age of Wonders. With newly discovered superpowers, Iyanu joins forces with two other teenagers as they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she’ll uncover the truth about her past, her parents, and her ultimate destiny to save the world.
The executive producers are David Steward II and Matt Heath from Lion Forge Animation, Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital, Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group, Doug Schwalbe, and Carl Reed.
The series joins a number of African themed projects that are in development including Disney Plus's Kizazi Moto: Generation Of Fire and Iwájú.
