Mercury Filmworks (Hilda, The Lion Guard) and Trustbridge Entertainment have teamed up to develop, produce, and distribute Gustavo, a 2D animated comedy series based on Mexican author/illustrator Flavia Z. Drago's The World of Gustavo book series, which includes bestseller Gustavo, The Shy Ghost.
Emmy Award-nominated Robert C. Ramirez (Mickey's Tale of Two Witches, Minnie's Bow-Toons, Clifford's Really Big Movie) is the showrunner for the animated series, which will debut in October to the international marketplace at MIPCOM/MIPJunior in Cannes.
"We are excited to work with Trustbridge to adapt Flavia's zany, offbeat world of Gustavo into this new preschool series that we like to describe as the 'paranormal Peanuts gang meets My Little Ghoulish Pony,' " said Chantal Ling, v-p, original series & co-productions, Mercury Filmworks. "We aim to incorporate the elements that helped make the book series so popular for young children by gently combining the spooky aspects with a sweet, humorous storyline filled with heart that also delves into feelings of bravery and loneliness with the theme of friendship always at its core."
Bob Higgins, president, Trustbridge Entertainment, added: "We can't wait to introduce Gustavo to fans who already know and love Flavia's books as well as those who will be meeting Gustavo and his friends for the first time. We are delighted to be working with Mercury Filmworks and Robert C. Ramirez on this special series full of hilariously haunted adventures that will help kids discover and celebrate their own unique talents."
Drago commented: "The amazing teams at Trustbridge and Mercury have truly outdone themselves, capturing the heart of the books and characters and bringing them to life in such a brilliant way! I'm beyond proud and thrilled to be part of this project filled with kindness, fun, and spookiness--of course. I can't wait for more people to feel the same excitement that I do."