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Sony Pictures has sold “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” an original animated family film from producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, to Netflix.
At one point, Sony changed the name from “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” to “Connected,” but it reverted to its original title. Sony had planned to release the film in theaters before Netflix acquired the worldwide rights. The deal, which excludes China, was reportedly done for more than $ 100 million. Neither company has confirmed the production budget, but the price tags for animated films typically range from $ 50 million to $ 100 million.
Mike Rianda wrote and directed the film with Jeff Rowe. “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” is about a family’s daily struggle to connect with each other as technology expands around the world. The film centers on Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), a creative guy who is accepted into her dream film school. Before starting college, her father (Danny McBride) decides that driving her to school is the perfect opportunity to bond as a family one last time. But as they unplug and hit the road, technology threatens their journey – and Earth. The vocal cast also includes Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre, Olivia Colman and Doug the Pug. Will Allegra and Louis Koo Tin Lok produced the film.
Rianda called the film a “very personal film about my very strange family”.
“I’m so thrilled that everyone at Netflix has been totally in sync with us in a creative way and are as excited about the movie as we are,” he said. “Not only because it’s an original story with a creative visual style that we’re extremely proud of, but also to be able to prove to my friends that this five-year trip was not an elaborate illusion on my part.”
Lord and Miller, whose film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, had previously worked with Netflix on the one-season adult animated series “Hoops” with Jake Johnson.
“We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that Netflix has expressed for this film with this acquisition and grateful to everyone at Sony for taking a great shot with us and finding an effective way to present it to the public,” Lord and Miller said in a statement. “We’re really proud of the movie we’ve all made together, and understand that our subscription fees are waived in perpetuity as part of the deal?” We are not lawyers, but that seems fair to us.
Netflix has been an active buyer during the pandemic, acquiring traditional studio films such as “The Trial of the Chicago 7” by Aaron Sorkin, “SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run” from Paramount internationally and another title from Sony “Wish Dragon” animation. Over the past few years, the broadcaster has made a concerted effort to scale up programming for children and families.
“We want Netflix to be the place where families can come and enjoy the stories together,” said Melissa Cobb, vice president of original animation, Netflix. “And while we know no two families are the same, we believe the Mitchell’s will immediately bond with yours.” It is an honor to work with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Mike Rianda to bring this incredibly special film to members around the world.
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