Apple Orders New CG ‘Peanuts’ Feature From ‘The Peanuts Movie’ Director Steve Martino

Apple has ordered a new cg-animated Peanuts feature, which will begin production at Wildbrain Studios in 2024.

The film isn’t billed as a direct sequel to 2015’s The Peanuts Movie from Blue Sky Studios, however, the director of that film, Steve Martino, is back to helm the installment.

This is the first feature co-produced by Apple TV+, Peanuts Worldwide, and Wildbrain, although the three have produced many specials and episodes of the franchise together.

Here’s what we know about the newly announced Peanuts movie:

• The untitled film will be directed by Martino (Horton Hears a Who, Ice Age: Continental Drift) from a script by Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, Smallfoot). Kirkpatrick is adapting an original story from Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano, the trio that wrote 2015’s The Peanuts Movie. Oscar-nominated producer Bonnie Arnold (How to Train Your Dragon), who joined Wildbrain last year, will produce.
• Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Uliano also executive produced Peanuts family specials for Apple TV+ including Snoopy Presents: It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown; Snoopy Presents: Lucy’s School; Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie; and Snoopy Presents: For Auld Lang Syne.
• Wildbrain has been Apple’s go-to producer for Peanuts content. The studio handles animation for both The Snoopy Show and Snoopy in Space, and has done so for several one-off specials.
• Apple isn’t sharing many plot details yet, but the company did say: “The new family film will see the Peanuts gang go on an epic adventure to the Big City, learning the true meaning of friendship, while meeting some surprising new friends along the way.”
• Tara Sorensen, Apple’s head of children’s programming, said in a release: “Fans of all ages have been enamored with Peanuts on Apple TV+. With our unmatched library of Peanuts titles and award-winning collection of stories that bring kids and families together, Apple TV+ is the preeminent home for Snoopy and friends and offers a world-class selection of series and films featuring the most globally cherished animated characters.”
• Craig Schulz added: “It is so special to carry on my father’s legacy with an original story from me, my son Bryan, and his writing partner Neil… Peanuts fans have been clamoring for another feature for years, and this film will bring joy to our millions of fans around the world.”

Jamie’s Take: This is an important announcement regarding Apple’s animated feature ambitions. The company’s less-than-fruitful partnership with Skydance Animation resulted in only one feature being added to the Apple TV+ library, last year’s Luck, before Skydance signed a new deal with Netflix. This time around, the streamer is taking a much safer approach. Peanuts is an iconic franchise that, according to Apple, has performed well on the platform.