‘The World of Gustavo’ Kids’ Books in Development for TV at Mercury Filmworks (EXCLUSIVE)

Oct 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM

Bringing Gustavo the Ghost to Life: A Supernatural Animated Series Captivates Audiences

Mercury Filmworks, the acclaimed animation studio behind the Netflix hit "Hilda" and Disney's "The Lion Guard," is set to bring the beloved book series "The World of Gustavo" to life in a new 2D animated comedy series. Developed in collaboration with Trustbridge Entertainment, this supernatural-themed show promises to enchant young viewers with its quirky characters and heartwarming tales.

Unleashing the Paranormal Peanuts Gang: A Delightful Blend of Spooky and Sweet

Introducing Gustavo and His Supernatural Sidekicks

The series will center around Gustavo, a shy ghost, and his eclectic group of friends, including the witch Leila and the vampire Vlad. Each character possesses unique paranormal abilities that reflect their distinct personalities, which they will use to navigate the supernatural suburbs of Calavera Cove and save the day in a series of 52 captivating 11-minute episodes.The show's showrunner, Robert C. Ramirez, brings a wealth of experience to the project, having worked on acclaimed series such as "Mickey's Tale of Two Witches," "Minnie's Bow-Toons," and "Clifford's Really Big Movie." Ramirez's directorial credits include "The Powerpuff Girls," "Chip 'n Dale's Nutty Tales," and the Emmy-nominated "Tasty Time With ZeFronk," ensuring that the "World of Gustavo" series will be imbued with his signature blend of humor, heart, and visual flair.

Adapting the Beloved Book Series for the Screen

The series is based on Flavia Z. Drago's "The World of Gustavo" book series, which has already captivated young readers. The first book in the series, "Gustavo, the Shy Ghost," became a New York Times bestseller after its publication through Trustbridge Global Media's Walker Books/Candlewick Press in 2020.The creative teams at Mercury Filmworks and Trustbridge Entertainment are thrilled to bring Gustavo and his friends to life on the small screen. Chantal Ling, the vice president of original series and co-productions at Mercury Filmworks, describes the series as a "paranormal Peanuts gang meets My Little Ghoulish Pony," promising to blend the spooky elements of the books with a sweet, humorous storyline that explores themes of friendship, bravery, and loneliness.

Captivating Audiences at MIPCOM/MIPJunior

Mercury Filmworks and Trustbridge Entertainment will debut the "World of Gustavo" series at the prestigious MIPCOM/MIPJunior event in Cannes later this month. This international media marketplace provides an exciting platform for the series to showcase its unique blend of supernatural charm and heartwarming storytelling to a global audience of industry professionals.Bob Higgins, the president of Trustbridge Entertainment, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We can't wait to introduce Gustavo to fans who already know and love Flavia's books as well as those who will be meeting Gustavo and his friends for the first time." He further emphasized the team's commitment to delivering a "special series full of hilariously haunted adventures that will help kids discover and celebrate their own unique talents."

A Spooktacular Collaboration: Bringing the Books to Life

The creative minds behind the series have worked tirelessly to capture the essence of Flavia Z. Drago's beloved book series and translate it into a visually stunning and emotionally engaging animated series. Drago herself has expressed her delight with the adaptation, stating, "The amazing teams at Trustbridge and Mercury have truly outdone themselves, capturing the heart of the books and characters and bringing them to life in such a brilliant way!"With the combined expertise of the talented teams at Mercury Filmworks and Trustbridge Entertainment, along with the guidance of acclaimed showrunner Robert C. Ramirez, the "World of Gustavo" series is poised to captivate audiences of all ages, blending the spooky and the sweet in a delightful celebration of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of embracing one's unique qualities.