LOS ANGELES — Disney+ is developing a new television series based on the Animorphs book franchise, with filmmaker Ryan Coogler attached as executive producer, Variety reported Friday.
The series adapts the 54-book franchise created by Katherine Applegate and Michael Grant, which ran from 1996 to 2001 and sold over 35 million copies worldwide. The books follow a group of teens who gain the ability to morph into animals after encountering a dying alien, using the power to resist parasitic invaders called Yeerks.
Applegate shared the news on social media, expressing cautious optimism about the project’s resources and praising producer Sev Ohanian.
The adaptation is part of Coogler and Proximity Media’s ongoing deal with Disney. Coogler is also developing a pilot for a reboot of The X-Files starring Danielle Deadwyler and Himesh Patel, following his recent Oscar wins for the film Sinners.
If completed, the series would be the second Animorphs TV adaptation. A live-action series aired on Nickelodeon for two seasons from 1998 to 2000. A 2020 film adaptation attempt did not move forward.
No casting or release date has been announced.