Magma Films are currently working on their first stereoscopic feature, ‘Legends of Valhalla - Thor’. The Ireland/Germany/Iceland co-production is one of many projects the Galway based animation house is currently involved with – the second series of ‘Simsala Grimm’ is also in production. In addition, the group are prepping a sequel to ‘Niko and the Way to the Stars’ plus a feature and TV series entitled ‘Ooops . . . Noah is gone!’
Where Magma Films’ first foray in 3D animation is concerned ‘Legends of Valhalla – Thor’ examines the early days of the hero’s life. Magma’s Heather Mills explains to IFTN that: “We watch Thor as he comes of age. We meet him as a young blacksmith who then discovers that his father is Odinn, and then becomes involved in the war of the gods.”
The 3D animation sees the slightly clumsy but loveable blacksmith having to make the most difficult choice he has ever faced: To save a friend’s life – or his Father’s Kingdom. ‘Legends of Valhalla - Thor’ is also the first of Magma’s animation projects whereby the animation is taking place in-house at Magma’s HQ in Galway.
The feature is written by Gunnar Karlsson and Oskar Jonasson and is a co-production between Magma Films, Germany’s Ulysses Films and Iceland’s Caoz. Animation of the feature is split between the three companies – production commenced in Iceland early this year and it started at Magma in May. 20 animators in total are working on the feature. ‘Legends of Valhalla - Thor’ is being produced by Moe Honan (Niko and the Way to the Stars), Hilmar Sigurdsson (Anna and the Moods) and Emely Christians. The feature is expected to receive its theatrical release next year.
The group are also currently in production with the second installment of ‘Simsala Grimm’. The 26 x 24 minute TV series is a co-production with France’s Millimages and France 5; China’s Colorland Animation and Germany’s NDR and Greenlight Media. Directed by Eunice Alvarado Ellis (Norman Normal, Gloria) the second series of adventures take Doc Croc and Yoyo deep into the world of more international fairy tales.
Doc Croc and Yoyo were once two forgotten toys in an attic but have been chosen by a magical fairy tale book to come to life and experience adventure and excitement in the tales of the Brothers Grimm (and others). Mayhem ensues when this hilarious duo crash into the magical land of Simsala... And they have to pull out all the stops to make sure that everyone lives happily ever after! ‘Simsala Grimm’ Series Two is to be completed by the end of this year.
Following on from the success of the feature animation, ‘Niko and the Way to the Stars’ which won two Cinekid awards in 2009, Magma are currently in development with a sequel. The group, along with Finland’s Animaker, Denmark’s A-Film and Germany’s Ulysses Films plan to start production on the project next year. The original IFTA nominated film introduced audiences to Niko, a young reindeer boy, who is searching for his Father – a member of Santa’s Flying Reindeer Squad.
Finally, Heather tells us Magma are currently in development with ‘Ooops . . . Noah is Gone!’ a project that, like the group’s ‘Ugly Duckling and Me’ before it, will be made as a feature film and a TV series at the same time. The feature and TV series will both take place in the same environment but will centre around different stories and will feature different dynamics.
‘Ooops . . . Noah is Gone!’ examines the stories of the creatures who are left behind after the departure of Noah’s ark. Marooned on a brand-new island - all that’s left of the tallest mountain - and surrounded by uncharted seas, this peculiar bunch of creatures must learn how to fit in, get on and survive. With very different lifestyles and habits, amusing misunderstandings and confusions ensue. But however previously unaware of each other’s existence they were, the mischievous Pelicat and the loose-lipped Blubbermouth will soon wonder how they ever got on without each other!
Watch as all of the weird and wonderful creatures, never seen before by our eyes, break down prejudices, make friends and overcome their anxieties together.
