The ‘Tale of Three Brothers’ animation director will also co-executive produce the new CG animated show, coming in 2021.
Award-winning director and producer Ben Hibon (Codehunters) will direct, co-executive produce and serve as the creative lead of Nickelodeon’s all-new animated series Star Trek: Prodigy, according to a Nickelodeon and CBS Television Studios announcement. The new CG-animated series, which expands the Star Trek Universe, follows a group of lawless teens who discover a derelict Starfleet ship and use it to search for adventure, meaning and salvation. Star Trek: Prodigy will debut exclusively on Nickelodeon in 2021 for a new generation of fans.
“Ben’s contributions to the world of animation are immeasurable, and we are so lucky to have his vision and creative genius on Star Trek: Prodigy,” said Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon Group. “As an incredible storyteller and a world builder with a distinct vision, his original approach paired with this beloved property will bring the characters to life in a whole new way.”
According to Hibon, “Getting the chance to work on an IP like Star Trek has been an incredible opportunity, particularly when partnered with the talented teams at Nickelodeon, CBS and Secret Hideout - who have been pushing the boundaries of what animation and serialized storytelling for younger audiences can deliver.”
Hibon’s talent as a storyteller parlayed him into directing the animated “Tale of Three Brothers” sequence in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part 1, which was nominated as part of Warner Bros.’ VFX submission to the Academy Awards. Hibon, along with David Yates, also won the British Animation Award for this sequence.
The series marks a continued expansion of the Star Trek Universe; it’s the first series in ViacomCBS’ Star Trek franchise aimed at Nickelodeon’s younger audiences. The Star Trek Universe on CBS All Access currently includes original series Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Discovery, the adult animated comedy series Star Trek: Lower Decks, the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the development of a Section 31-based series with Michelle Yeoh.
The series will be from CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Television Studios’ new animation arm; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Katie Krentz, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers alongside Kevin and Dan Hageman. Mac Middleton will serve as a producer with Aaron Baiers as co-executive producer.
Hibon is represented by UTA; Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher, LLP; Heitmann Entertainment’s Tarik Heitmann and Sentient’s Renee Tab.
Source: Nickelodeon
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
