With Weta Digital, director Peter Jackson formed one of the most important, groundbreaking effects companies in the business. Originally created to service the effects needs of Heavenly Creatures__ and coming into its own on the LOTR movies, it's since gone on to work on the likes of Avatar and the MCU's biggest films. Now he's adding another arm: Weta Animated, which will produce original films and TV shows.
Jackson and Fran Walsh announced the new company and will play key roles in its development alongside CEO Prem Akkaraju and recent Weta investor Sean "Napster" Parker ("a million orcs isn't cool. You know what's cool? A billion orcs.")
"We are huge fans of animated storytelling in all of its forms, but it can be a long, protracted, and often costly way to make movies. That’s, in part, why we have created this company - to change the model and open the doors to filmmakers and storytellers who might not otherwise be given the chance to show what they can do,” says Jackson in a statement. "We’re fortunate to have a strong, creative leadership team at Weta. Both Joe Letteri (Senior VFX Supervisor) and David Conley (Executive VFX Producer) have played a huge role in the success of the company. The years of experience that Joe and David bring to the table are invaluable. With the expansion of the company, adding someone of Prem’s calibre to this mix is essential. I’ve gotten to know Prem well over the past few years. I’m thrilled he’s agreed to lead the company through this exciting growth phase. Prem’s energy and passion for film is inspiring; we cannot wait to work with him."
No details have been revealed about the potential shows or movies, but it looks like Disney, Illumination and the rest will have some fresh competition.