Netflix Lands the Rights to THE ELF ON THE SHELF and Will Produce Film and TV Projects
Netflix has landed the rights to another big brand with The Elf of the Shelf, which is owned by the Atlanta-based The Lumistella Company. I had a lot of fun with The Elf on the Shelf with my kids when they were younger. We got some good times out of that and created some fun memories.
Netflix acquired the rights to the property to develop original stories from the company’s entire portfolio of brands that includes The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets, and Elf Mates.
Netflix will develop live-action and animated content film and series projects “taking aim at pre-school audiences, as well as for family audiences through both series and film. As part of the deal, two of Lumistella’s existing animated short films, Elf Pets: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue and Elf Pets: A Fox Cub’s Christmas Tale will be on Netflix in North America this holiday season.”
Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee (The Lego Movie) and Miri Yoon will serve as producers on all The Elf On The Shelf content. The Elf On The Shelf creators Chanda Bell, Christa Pitts, and Carol Aebersold will also be involved in producing capacities on the films and shows that will be developed
One of the stories that have been pitched involves “a backstory that would lend itself to narrative storytelling based on a mythology.” It’s explained that the basic premise “focuses on a cast of characters that includes elf pets and the Elf on the Shelf characters that are adopted by families. They do more than monitor which kids have been naughty and nice.” Bell explained:
“The idea is that humankind helps the North Pole run, and defines Christmas spirit. Santa needs to access that magic, and nothing happens in the magical land of the North Pole without that spirit.”
Bell released the following statement confirming the Netflix deal saying that the family behind The Elf on the Shelf is “thrilled to be partnering with Netflix to create immersive and engaging original stories of Santa’s North Pole while providing heartfelt family-entertainment to fans all over the world. We are also pleased that fans in North America don’t have to wait to delve into the world of The Elf on the Shelf and their friendly Elf Pets, with the streaming giant carrying our newest animated Elf Pets titles this Christmas. We relish the opportunity to collaborate with Netflix to bring joyful family moments to life. This moment is a dream come true.”
As someone who has enjoyed The Elf on the Shelf with my kids over the years, I hope the projects that come out of Netflix are good and entertaining.
Source: Deadline