Netflix commission TV spin-off from movie Turbo

Netflix and DreamWorks Animation are to create the first ever Netflix original series for children. The production will be based on the movie Turbo – which hits cinema screens in the summer.

The Netflix programme, Turbo: F.A.S.T. (Fast Action Stunt Team) debuts in December in the 40 countries where Netflix offers its service.

“Families love Netflix, so creating an original series for kids was a natural for us. And we’re doing it in a big way by adapting Turbo, this year’s DreamWorks Animation summer tentpole movie,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of Netflix. “DreamWorks Animation has a long track record of creating incredibly successful characters and stories that delight people of all ages. We’re thrilled to add Turbo the series as well as all new DreamWorks Animation films, starting with their 2013 slate, to Netflix.”

DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo is a high velocity 3D comedy about an ordinary snail who dares to dream big – and fast. After a freak accident miraculously gives him the power of super-speed, Turbo kicks his dreaming into overdrive and embarks on an extraordinary journey to achieve the seemingly impossible: competing in the Indianapolis 500.

Turbo’s pursuit of racing greatness continues in Turbo: F.A.S.T. an episodic animated television programme that picks up where the feature film leaves off. It showcases the world-traveling exploits of the snail hero and his tricked-out racing crew as they master outrageous new stunts and challenge any villain unlucky enough to cross their path.

“Netflix boasts one of the largest and fastest-growing audiences in kids television. They pioneered a new model for TV dramas with House of Cards, and now together, we’re doing the same thing with kids’ programming, DreamWorks is thrilled to be part of the television revolution.” said DreamWorks Animation’s Chief Executive Officer, Jeffrey Katzenberg.

The film, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Pena, Luis Guzmán, Bill Hader, Richard Jenkins, Ken Jeong, Michelle Rodriguez, Maya Rudolph, Ben Schwartz, Kurtwood Smith, Snoop Lion and Samuel L. Jackson, comes to theaters on July 19th 2013.

[Reported by Neil Lang]