Magic: The Gathering (TV series)

Magic: The Gathering is a animation series based on the TCG Magic: The Gathering, that was first reported to be in production in June, 2019 but was later confined to Development Hell. The series, created by Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast, was planned to be released on Netflix. In September 2024, Netflix announced the series production would start anew with a new showrunner in Terry Matalas.

History

Early attempts

As early as 2001, a mini-series for television was considered by Wizards of the Coast, and Mark Rosewater wrote a story treatment. In 2008, the plans were shelved when an agreement was struck with Universal for a Magic: The Gathering movie. However, neither this movie, nor subsequent initiatives led to concrete products.

Russo brothers production

In June 2019, it was reported that Joe and Anthony Russo (Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame) would executive produce the series. The Russos would oversee the creation of an all new storyline and expand on the stories of the Planeswalkers.

The Magic: The Gathering was said to feature creative talent from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Batman: The Animated Series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Firefly, Agent Carter, Ultimate Spider-Man, and The Lego Movies.

Octopie would have oversee production of the series, with Todd Makurath, Eric Calderon, and Dave Newberg serving as producers, and Mike Larocca and Isaac Krauss serving as executive producers. Henry Gilroy (Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Jose Molina (The Tick, Agent Carter) would have serve as lead writers and co-executive producers on the series, and Yoriaki Mochizuki would serve as supervising director and co-executive producer.

Animation on the series would have been done by Bardel Entertainment. Hasbro's representation was in hands of Allspark Animation.

Jeff Kline production

Out-take featuring the art for Exquisite Firecraft (Magic Origins).

In August 2021, it was reported that a new creative team led by executive producer Jeff Kline (Transformers: Prime) was put in place. It was said that the Russos and their team, including head writers Henry Gilroy and Jose Molina, had departed early in the process over different visions for how best to adapt the IP. The parting of the ways was amicable, and Netflix subsequently tapped Kline to oversee the creation of an all new storyline.

Kline’s team includes Co-Executive Producer and Story Editor Steve Melching (Star Wars: The Clone Wars), Supervising Director Audu Paden, Art Director Izzy Medrano and Writers Nicole Dubuc, Russell Sommer & Dan Frey, and Taneka Stotts. The animation will be done by Snowball Studios, taking over from the originally announced Bardel Studio. Hasbro's studio Entertainment One represents the company on the series' production.

On August 4, 2021, it was announced that the series would be screened in the second half of 2022. It would star familiar, fresh, and reimagined characters in a whole new story. The main character is to be Gideon Jura, who is voiced by Brandon Routh. Its release was said to be supported by "robust consumer products" offerings.

Unfortunately, that was the last time the audience heard about the show, with many assuming that the radio silence meant that the show had been unceremoniously canceled. However, in October 2023, Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks mentioned that the series was still in the works.

When asked about the status of the project in September 2024, Routh said: ""I'm not sure. I did do a voice for it. As far as I understand, nobody's put out a press release about it, but apparently it's not happening."

Terry Matalas production

Teaser image for the Terry Matalas production, featuring Ajani.

During its Geeked Week previews, Netflix announced that a new production of an animated Magic: The Gathering series had started under the direction of Terry Matalas.

Setting

Mark Rosewater repeatedly stated that Wizards of the Coast didn't want a movie or TV show with people from Earth traveling to Magic’s worlds.

Canonicity

According to the earliest reports, the story, worlds and characters were going to be true to their preexisting spirit, but the TV Series was going to have its own continuity space similar to how other franchises had done that with adventures in a new medium. In other words, the TV series will not be canon.

Live-action project

In April 2020, it was reported that Netflix was working on a live-action project besides the animated miniseries. The two projects weren’t be related. Angelina Jolie was reportedly considered to play Liliana Vess.

See also

• Magic: The Gathering (movies)
• Netflix prequel novel