European studio Superprod Animation and Italian Red Monk Studio have begun the co-production on their animated series Underdog.
The commissioning broadcasters are television channels M6 and Gulli in France and Rai in Italy. French media production company Superights will handle international distribution of the series.
The animated series is based on the US IP Underdog, first created in 1959, the series has maintained its popularity through decades of TV series (on NBC, CBS and Nickelodeon), comics and films. This character is being reimagined in 3D by the Superprod Animation team to modernize it to a new generation of kids and families.The series will be produced in Superprod Group animation studios in France and Italy.
The official synopsis of the show reads as follows:
This new animated series will consist of 52 episodes, each 11 minutes long. It follows the crime busting adventures of a uniquely canine superhero. Clumsy yet lovable, Underdog is a superpowered dog who battles villains with the help of his team of fellow superheroes. Despite his bumble prone persona, his heart and determination make him a lovable and endearing hero. Created for a bridge audience, the series blends action and humor while promoting positive values such as friendship, courage, and perseverance.
Underdog was adapted for TV with writer Matt Smith (The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, The Croods, The Peabody and Sherman Show) and American writer Shane Morris (Frozen, Wreck-it-Ralph, Tangled, the Paw Patrol Movie, Rainbow Rangers), who are also story editing the show. The series is directed by Charles Vaucelle, a seasoned director known for his work on hit shows like Pat the Dog, Oggy and the Cockroaches, The Daltons, Lucky Luke, and Dogmatix and the Indomitables.
Superprod Group co-founders Jérémie Fajner and Clément Calvet shared, “Reviving Underdog for a new generation is such a wonderful opportunity. With our incredible team of marquee talent, we are thrilled to say “There’s no need to fear: Underdog is here!” We are eager to bring this project to audiences and proud of this partnership with M6 Group and Rai.”
Gulli president Philippe Bony expressed, “We are delighted with this new collaboration with Superprod and Charles Vaucelle, with whom we already worked on Dogmatix and the Indomitables (dogs again!). Tender, awkward but brave, Underdog is the kind of hero we love!
Red Monk Studio CEO and producer Pedro Citaristi stated, “We and our talents are very happy to have the opportunity to work on this amazing series and very proud to bring it to Italy. I would like to thank RAI, M6 Group for trusting and partnering with us.”
Underdog is set to air in France on M6 and Gulli, with whom the series was developed, and on Rai in Italy, with a release scheduled for 2025.
Superights, Superprod Group’s international sales arm, will manage international distribution.
Superprod Group is an animation studio with offices in Paris, Angoulême, Milan, and Luxembourg, Los Angeles and New York The studio produces high quality content for US and international markets.
The group includes Superprod Animation, which develops animated TV series, and Superprod Drama, dedicated to prime-time drama, as well as Superprod Films, which focuses on the development and production of animated and live-action feature films. It also includes Red Monk Studio, an Italian production studio specializing in fiction and animation and Superights, dedicated to the international distribution of content for children and families, and 440 Hz, a platform for music rights management.
Superprod Group has produced films and series, both fiction and animation, for clients such as Passion Paris, Netflix, (HBO) Max, Warner Bros Animation, Universal Pictures, Nickelodeon and others. Recent productions include the animated series Batwheels, Lego Friends, Spirit Rangers, and Paddington among others.