Netflix Acquires Australian Animation Studio Animal Logic

pcmag.com:

Netflix will acquire Australian animation studio Animal Logic, which has worked on films like Happy Feet, The LEGO Movies, and the upcoming DC League of Super-Pets, among others.

Animal Logic has also provided visual effects for franchises like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Matrix, and a number of Marvel flicks.

"Netflix has been investing in animation over the past few years and this furthers our commitment to building a world-class animation studio," according to(Opens in a new window) Amy Reinhard, Netflix VP of studio operations. "Animal Logic is a leading animation studio with innovative technology that will strengthen our existing business and increase our long-term capacity in the animation space, so that we can better entertain our members around the world."

Netflix says it already has a "strong partnership" with Animal Logic; the acquisition will allow it to create a global creative production team and animation studio to ramp up its joint animated offerings, including upcoming films The Magician's Elephant and The Shrinking of the Treehorns—the latter of which is directed by Ron Howard.

"After 30 years of producing great work with great people, this is the perfect next chapter for Animal Logic," CEO and co-founder Zareh Nalbandian said in a statement(Opens in a new window). "Our values and aspirations could not be more aligned with Netflix, in working with diverse content makers, producing innovative and engaging stories for audiences around the world.

Animal Logic Entertainment will remain independent, and continue to collaborate with filmmakers and major studios outside of Netflix.

Netflix has already invested in a slate of original, animated features and shorts, such as the Academy Award-nominated