Gravity Falls is a beloved Disney Channel and Disney XD cartoon that many fans felt went too soon when it aired its final episode in 2016. The tale of the Pines family in the titular town of Gravity Falls delighted fans of all ages, with its 40 episodes delivering a mix of humor, mystery and emotional family moments between a brother, sister and a grifting great uncle named Stan.
The series begat just two seasons but sparked a ton of merchandise, a book and even some fun comics. And its success — and brevity — made whatever Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch decided to make next a hotly anticipated property in the world of animation.
On Monday, we learned exactly what Hirsch will do next, and it’s big. The showrunner will do what many, including Simpsons creator Matt Groening, have done: taken money from Netflix to put their product exclusively on the streaming platform.
Fittingly, Hirsch made a clever Netflix joke on Twitter when he announced the deal on Monday.
BIG NEWS! I just signed a HUGE exclusive deal with Netfli-[skip intro]
https://t.co/ULGTsvVuq5— Alex Hirsch (@_AlexHirsch) August 27, 2018
He also clarified the responsibilities that come with with the contract he signed with his new bosses.
Under this new deal I’m expected to
1) Make new TV shows!
2) Make new movies!
3) Get a giant red N tattooed on my face!(#3 is still being negotiated)
— Alex Hirsch (@_AlexHirsch) August 27, 2018
Deadline reported a bit more on the deal, including that Netflix expects both TV shows and movies for children and adults.
Under the pact, Hirsch will exclusively develop new series and feature films for the streaming platform, switching from children to adult animation.
“Alex is an imaginative storyteller with new ideas who’s quickly developed a reputation as a fresh new voice in animation,” said Cindy Holland, VP of Original Content for Netflix. “We couldn’t be more excited to work with him as we continue expanding our adult animated slate.”
Hirsch gave a quote for the release as well, and he couldn’t help but make some jokes about his new content overlords.
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the amazing roster of talent coming to Netflix”, Hirsch said in a release. “Plus it couldn’t hurt to be on The Algorithm’s good side before The Singularity hits. Awesome things are coming!”
Hirsch seems optimistic, and anyone who loved Gravity Falls has to be excited that he’s being given a long leash at Netflix to figure out whatever he’s making next.
(via Deadline)
