Sony Pictures sold “The Mitchells vs. The Machines ”, an original family animated film by producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, for Netflix.
At one point, Sony changed the name to “The Mitchells vs. The Machines ”for“ Connected ”, but returned to the original title. Sony planned to release the film in theaters before Netflix acquired worldwide rights. The deal, which excludes China, closed at more than $ 100 million. None of the companies confirmed the production budget, but prices for animated films generally range from $ 50 million to $ 100 million.
Mike Rianda wrote and directed the film with Jeff Rowe. “The Mitchells vs. The Machines ”is about a family’s daily struggle to bond as technology grows around the world. The film centers on Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), a creative type who is accepted into her dream film school. Before starting college, her father (Danny McBride) decides that taking her to school is the perfect opportunity to bond with the family for the last time. But when they disconnect and hit the road, technology threatens their journey – and the Earth. The voice cast also includes Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman and Doug the Pug. Will Allegra and Louis Koo Tin Lok were the executive producers of the film.
Rianda called the film “a very personal film about my very strange family”.
“I’m so excited that everyone on Netflix is fully in sync with us creatively and is just as excited about the movie as we are,” he said. “Not only because it is an original story with a creative visual style that we are extremely proud of, but also to be able to prove to my friends that this five-year journey was not an elaborate illusion on my part.”
Lord and Miller, whose film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the Oscar for best cartoon, had previously worked with Netflix on the one-season adult animation series, “Hoops,” starring Jake Johnson.
“We are impressed by the enthusiasm that Netflix expressed for this film with this acquisition and we are grateful to everyone at Sony for taking a great photo with us and finding a great way to bring it to the public,” said Lord and Miller in a statement. “We are very proud of the film that we all made together, in addition, do we understand that our subscription fees are waived forever as part of the deal? We are not lawyers, but it seems right for us. “
Netflix was an active buyer during the pandemic, purchasing traditional studio films like Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7”, Paramount’s “SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run” and another Sony animated title “Wish Dragon”. In recent years, the streamer has made a concerted effort to increase children’s and family programming.
“We want Netflix to be the place where families can come and enjoy stories together,” said Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation at Netflix. “And while we know that no two families are the same, we think the Mitchells will become affectionate immediately with yours. It is an honor to work with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Mike Rianda to bring this incredibly special film to members around the world. “