TL;DR
- Ryan Coogler produces Animorphs for Disney+
- Adaptation features LGBTQ themes
- Katherine Applegate is a trans ally
- Teenagers gain shapeshifting powers
- Excitement builds for the new series
In a thrilling twist for millennials who grew up devouring sci-fi and fantasy, the beloved Animorphs series is getting a fresh adaptation, and guess what? It’s not coming from a transphobic billionaire! Ryan Coogler, the visionary behind hits like Black Panther, is set to produce this exciting new project for Disney+. Talk about a win for the fandom!
As reported by Variety, Coogler has enlisted the talented Bayan Wolcott, known for her work on The Summer I Turned Pretty, to write and executive produce the series. Even if you’ve never cracked open an Animorphs book, you’ve likely seen the iconic covers by David B. Mattingly, showcasing the teenage protagonists morphing into their animal counterparts. It’s a wild ride that’s about to get even wilder!
The Animorphs saga follows a group of high schoolers who gain the extraordinary ability to shapeshift into animals, all while battling an alien threat that could spell doom for Earth. But here’s the kicker: these books are dripping with transgender subtext. I mean, who could forget Tobias, the poor guy stuck in the body of a hawk? It’s a haunting metaphor that resonates deeply with the trans community, and it’s no surprise that the news of this adaptation has ignited a celebration among LGBTQ fans.
Culture reporter Gwen Howerton even quipped on BlueSky, “lowkey these books probably made me trans.” And honestly, who can blame her? The themes of transformation and identity are at the heart of the Animorphs narrative, making it a perfect fit for today’s conversations around gender and self-discovery.
According to the official logline, the adaptation will follow “a group of teenagers who uncover a hidden threat lurking beneath their everyday lives, all while juggling relationships, curfews, and the chaos of High School.” Sounds like a classic coming-of-age story, but with a shapeshifting twist!
And let’s not forget about Katherine Applegate, the brilliant mind behind the Animorphs series. Not only is she a celebrated author, but she’s also an outspoken LGBTQ+ ally and the proud parent of a trans child. In a heartfelt Instagram message from 2022, Applegate shared her support for her daughter’s transition and condemned the oppressive policies targeting supportive parents in Texas. This woman is a true champion for the community!
While the world tunes in to a certain HBO show about a boy wizard, I’ll be over here counting down the days until Animorphs takes over streaming. Because let’s be real, shapeshifting is way cooler than sending bursts of light out of a twig! So grab your favorite animal and get ready to morph into a new era of storytelling that embraces diversity and celebrates the beauty of transformation.