Disney Begins Development on Animated Anthology Series “The Witchverse,” Based on Emmy Award-Winning VR Short Film “Baba Yaga,” for Disney+

Disney Branded Television is in development with nine-time Emmy® Award-winning international animation studio Baobab Studios on “The Witchverse,” an all-new animated anthology series based on Baobab Studios’ acclaimed, award-winning interactive experience “Baba Yaga.”

Working closely with Baobab Studios, Disney Television Animation is overseeing the development of the project for Disney+. Eric Darnell, writer, and director of “Baba Yaga,” “Madagascar” and “Antz” and Baobab’s co-founder and chief creative officer, will executive-produce the series.

“The Witchverse” is a global celebration of the international cultural phenomena of witches, their magic, and their universal connection to nature. Each witch-i-sode will comically explore and upend common misconceptions surrounding global witch mythology and lore from a mélange of cultures and perspectives around the world.

Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television, said, “We’re inspired by Baobab’s bold creative vision that redefines, deepens, and expands storytelling about witches in a way that is transformative and entertaining and filled with humor and heart.”.

Three-time Emmy Award-winning VR experience and animated short film “Baba Yaga,” which serves as inspiration for “The Witchverse,” is a contemporary portrayal of the Eastern European legend Baba Yaga, an enigmatic witch who uses her powers to stop villagers whose settlement encroaches upon her enchanted forest. The immersive experience is brought to life with illustrative 2D pop-up animation, as well as hand-drawn and stop-motion styles, and explores themes of empowerment and environmentalism. “Baba Yaga” will serve as a starting point for episode one of the new series.

“Disney is the ideal partner to be working with us on one of our most creatively ambitious storytelling endeavors,” said Eric Darnell, co-founder, and chief creative officer for Baobab Studios. “They uniquely have the ability to create entirely new worlds like no one else on this planet, and in this collaboration, ‘Baba Yaga‘ has the potential to be a breath of fresh air for everyone who loves fairytales, both young and old, from different cultures.”