Astro-Nomical Launching with ‘Mean Margaret’ Animated Movie
Animation veterans Jay Ahn and Chris Henderson are launching Astro-Nomical Entertainment with “Mean Margaret” as its first project.
The company is touting itself as a full-service development and production company making animated family films. Backed by China-based Characterplan, Astro-Nomical Entertainment is preparing to commence production on “Mean Margaret” and is in talks with “Mulan” director Barry Cook to helm.
Based in Burbank, Astro-Nomical is aiming at mid-budget animated films and franchises, generating ongoing revenue streams across multiple media platforms. It will cater to both the domestic and international markets, with a particular strategic focus on China.
Kevin Niu is on board as the company’s business adviser and industry expert David Alper will also serve as an adviser.
“Mean Margaret,” based on the children’s book by Tor Seidler, centers on a cranky toddler from a family of nine who is taken in by two woodchucks and raised as their own. The project was most recently incubated at Marza Animation Planet, which will lead on story and design.
Ahn and Henderson will produce with production handled by Montreal-based Digital Dimension. Astro-Nomical is working with Pelagius Entertainment’s Joe Fries and Natalie Khoury, who will serve as executive producers and are committing equity funding to “Mean Margaret” in what’s expected to be the first of several more such arrangements.
IM Global will handle worldwide sales on “Mean Margaret.”
Astro-Nomical Entertainment is also co-developing projects with Warner Bros.-based Gulfstream Pictures and Marina Martin’s Pigmental Studios.
“We feel we are poised to be the ‘go to’ place for creators and producers who want to develop and produce high-quality animated films in the independent CGI family film space,” said Henderson. “With our experience and relationships we can maximize the investment in all stages–from development and strong story telling, through physical production. We’re in a golden age of animation right now.”
Ahn has more than 20 years of experience in production, financing and distribution of features and television in Korea and the U.S. He’s one of the founders and shareholders of ToonBox Entertainment, where until recently he held the position of co-CEO/co-President for three years, and executive produced “The Nut Job.”
Henderson began his career in 1984 working on “Tranzor Z,” before founding the independent animation studio Kookanooga Toons, which produced the series “Monster Mania” for Hallmark Entertainment and “Madison’s Adventures Growing Up Wild” for BBC Worldwide Americas. He also worked for Walt Disney TV Animation, where he served as showrunner for the series “101 Dalmatians” and “Hercules.”
Henderson also produced feature animated DVD releases “Hunchback of Notre Dame 2,” “Return to Never Land” and “Clifford’s Really Big Movie.”
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