Netflix has snapped up yet another title from a traditional studio, except this one is an animated film. And not only that, but one plenty of people are pretty excited about. The streaming giant has acquired Connected from Sony Pictures Animation, and plans to change it’s title to The Mitchells vs. The Machines, which was its original name anyway.
The film boasts Phil Lord and Chris Miller as producers, which is a great sign even though they’re not directly involved with the creative process. But director Mike Rianda did work as the Creative Director and wrote several episodes of beloved Disney show Gravity Falls, with Jeff Rowe also involved as co-director and co-writer.
The film follows one family’s struggle during a technological uprising. Creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams, only for her nature-loving father to suggest driving her to school with the whole family for one final bonding experience. Unfortunately, that’s exactly when the technological uprising occurs.
The film was reportedly borne out of the creative breakthroughs made on Sony’s Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, which Lord and Miller were heavily involved in. They released a statement praising Sony Pictures Animation while acknowledging that this Netflix deal was a way to get eyeballs on the film during the pandemic:
“We are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm Netflix has expressed for this movie with this acquisition and grateful to everyone at Sony for making a great picture with us and finding a big way to bring it to audiences. We’re really proud of the film we all made together, plus we understand our subscription fees are waived in perpetuity as part of the deal? We’re not lawyers but it does sound right to us”.
Sony originally dropped the film’s trailer – below – way back in March of 2020, so it’s understandable that they were looking for a way to get the film either released or off their hands in some way. While it’s a shame we won’t get to see it on the big screen, it will still reach a wide audience on Netflix, who have to be happy at adding another major title to their release schedule.
Netflix hasn’t announced a release date for the film quite yet, but it’s expected to arrive sometime later this year.
#Peace.Love.TheMitchellsvsTheMachines
