Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the “Winx Club” TV franchise that bewitched millions of tween girls and spawned Netflix’s live-action “Fate: The Winx Saga,” is launching a new series titled “Gormiti – The New Era.”
The male-skewed “Gormiti” live-action series follows four boys — each representing a different elemental tribe of their homeland Gorm — and Ao-ki, a Light Girl, who leads and trains them. With her help, the boys must learn to master their elemental arm bracers, which when used properly summon legendary heroes and gods of the corresponding elements to fight on their behalf. Standing in their way is Voidus, leader of the evil Darkans, who are looking to escape their shadowy world of Darkor and conquer Gorm.
The Gormiti first surfaced in 2005 as a collection of colorful and highly detailed toys manufactured by Italy’s Giochi Preziosi, which is now co-financing the 20-episode (10 per season) English-language show with Rainbow and will lead licensing on the series.
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Since 2005, The Gormiti have sold over 500 million units in more than 50 countries, reaping more than $1.5 billion in sales. A new series of toys will be coming out in fall 2024 in tandem with the live-action series’ release.
Shot largely in spectacular central Italian locations, including real grottos and castles, “Gormiti” is using lots of special effects and computer graphics and “making the most” of its roughly €15 million ($16 million) budget, Straffi said. He pointed out that the main cast – Millie Fortunato Asquini (Skye – Scion), Federico Cempella (Zane – Scion), Robel Araya (Glen – Scion), Francesco Bertozzi (Carter – Scion) and Claire Palazzo (Myridell) — are all fluent in English “since we are clearly targeting the international kids and preteen market as well as Italy.”
The “Gormiti” director is Italy’s Mario Parruccini. The show, which is being fully financed by Rainbow and Giochi Preziosi, “is being made for both platform and linear TV play,” Straffi noted.
As for taking “The Winx” to the next level in the live-action sphere, Straffi confirmed previously announced plans for a theatrical feature, but noted that “it’s clear that we need a U.S. studio or a streamer” as partner.
Meanwhile, a reboot of the original “Winx” animated series is in the pipeline for delivery next year, which is the 20th anniversary of the first “Winx Club” series. Straffi called the ninth installment of the “Winx Club” – being produced by Rainbow with RAI Ragazzi, a unit of Italian pubcaster RAI – “a very important reboot” that, “while maintaining the ‘Winx’ DNA, is written in a style that is more congenial to today’s youths.”
