Magic The Gathering Netflix Series: What Happened?

Netflix’s much-anticipated Magic The Gathering animated series has gone through a rollercoaster of developments since its first announcement. Fans of the popular card game have been eagerly waiting for updates on this project, and with so many delays and creative shifts, it’s easy to lose track of what’s really happening. Let’s dive into the series’ journey, starting from its announcement, through its ups and downs, to where things currently stand.

The Initial Announcement in 2019

In June 2019, Netflix made a big reveal that thrilled Magic The Gathering (MTG) fans everywhere: a new animated series based on the iconic trading card game was in the works. This wasn’t just any project. Netflix had partnered with a power-packed team, including Joe and Anthony Russo, known for their work on Avengers: Endgame.

Collaborating with Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro’s Allspark Animation, and animation studios like Octopie, the series was set to be a monumental leap for the MTG universe.

The Creatives Behind the Project

Initially, the writing duties were in the hands of Henry Gilroy and Jose Molina, with Yoriaki Mochizuki serving as the supervising director. Fans were excited when the Russo brothers hinted at the series featuring well-loved characters like Chandra and Jace. The series’ scope even hinted at long-term plans, including potential live-action adaptations.

Excitement Builds at SDCC 2019

At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, fans were given even more reason to be excited. The Russo brothers discussed the series and teased that it would focus on some of MTG’s fan-favorite characters. The Magic universe is vast, filled with Planeswalkers, powerful beings with incredible abilities, and complex storylines that have unfolded over decades. The prospect of seeing these characters on screen, especially in animated form, was highly anticipated.

Creative Differences and Major Changes (2021)

Fast-forward two years, and things took a dramatic turn. In August 2021, it was announced that the Russo brothers, along with Gilroy and Molina, had exited the project due to “creative differences.” The project’s direction shifted significantly, with Jeff Kline stepping in to lead the creative team.

This was not the only shake-up. The animation studio Bardel was no longer involved, and neither was Snowball Studios, which had been listed as a collaborator for animation. The transition of animation duties led to significant delays, and uncertainty began to build around the project.

Hasbro’s 2021 Investor Update: New Hope

In August 2021, Hasbro provided a glimmer of hope. In an investor press release, the company stated that the Magic The Gathering series was still in full production and set to arrive on Netflix in late 2022. This announcement included some exciting details: Brandon Routh, known for his roles in Arrow and Superman Returns, was revealed as the voice of Gideon Jura, one of the game’s iconic Planeswalkers.

Moreover, Hasbro confirmed that the show would appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers, making it accessible to those unfamiliar with MTG lore. Accompanying the series, a novel by fantasy author Django Wexler was also set to release, providing even deeper context to the storyline.

Netflix’s Geeked Lineup in November 2021

Netflix included Magic The Gathering in its November 2021 Geeked lineup, fueling further excitement for its 2022 release. The official Netflix Geeked account described it as “an all-new animated event series” that would delve into the game’s lore and its beloved characters and settings.

However, as 2022 progressed, fans noticed something troubling: the series was missing from Netflix’s promotional events, including Geeked Week 2022.

Silence and Disappearing Act in 2022

Despite the official release date approaching, the series was conspicuously absent throughout 2022. Neither Netflix nor Hasbro offered substantial updates, and it became clear that the late 2022 release wasn’t happening.

Insider reports suggested that many Hasbro employees connected to the project had stopped working on it by mid-2022. This included key members, from writers to animators. While some sources still listed the series for release in 2024 or 2025, the overall silence was deafening, leaving fans in the dark.

The Impact of Netflix Animation Changes

One key factor behind the series’ delays was the changes happening within Netflix Animation itself. In recent years, Netflix Animation has seen leadership changes, direction shifts, and even layoffs. Such internal turbulence often results in the delay or cancellation of many projects. While we don’t have concrete evidence that these factors directly impacted Magic: The Gathering, it’s likely that these organizational changes contributed to the series being put on the backburner.

2023: Hasbro Mentions the Series Again

Just when fans were about to give up hope, Hasbro brought up the series again during an investor call in October 2023. CEO Chris Cocks mentioned that Magic: The Gathering was still part of their ongoing animation plans, along with projects like Transformers One. This was a small but significant acknowledgment that the series hadn’t been completely abandoned.

Is Magic The Gathering Back in Development?

In April 2024, a glimmer of hope returned. Christopher Derrick, a writer and co-producer at Netflix, announced on LinkedIn that he was working on Netflix Animation’s Magic The Gathering series. Derrick, known for his work on Star Trek Picard and The Equalizer, confirmed his ongoing involvement in the series.

While Derrick’s announcement was a positive sign, it also hinted at a potential reboot. The series that was originally in development under the Russo brothers and Jeff Kline may have been scrapped, with a new creative team starting fresh.

What’s Next for the MTG Series?

Though Derrick’s involvement suggests that Magic The Gathering is still alive at Netflix, fans should temper their expectations. The show that was once set for a 2022 release may now be an entirely new project, meaning it could still be years before it hits the streaming platform.

A Long Road Ahead for MTG Fans

For now, it appears that the Magic The Gathering animated series has been given a second life, though it’s unclear how much of the original project, if any, will remain. The wait for this adaptation has been long and filled with uncertainty, but for MTG fans, there’s hope that the show will eventually come to fruition.

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Why the Delay Might Benefit the Series

While frustrating, the delay might actually be a blessing in disguise. Netflix and the creative team now have the opportunity to refine the project, ensuring that it meets the high expectations of both hardcore MTG fans and casual viewers alike. Rushing such an ambitious adaptation could lead to a disappointing product, so perhaps this extra time will result in a better series.

Will the Show Live Up to the Hype?

Given the deep lore and vast universe of Magic The Gathering, the series has immense potential. If done right, it could not only satisfy long-time fans but also introduce new audiences to the rich storytelling that has made the card game such a cultural phenomenon.

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Conclusion: What’s Next for Netflix’s Magic The Gathering Series?

The journey of Netflix’s Magic The Gathering series has been a complicated one, filled with excitement, setbacks, and a lot of unknowns. While the original project appears to have been scrapped, recent updates suggest that a new iteration is in the works. Fans will have to remain patient, but the prospect of finally seeing the MTG universe brought to life on screen is still alive.

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