Netflix is really gearing up their animation game this year. After the announcement of the already highly anticipated live-action and animated film, Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood, the streaming giant has announced the production of the 4-episode series, Lost Ollie.
What is Lost Ollie about?
Lost Ollie is based on William Joyce’s Ollies Odyssey, a collection of children’s stories. Joyce is also the creator of the best-selling Santa Calls series. He has been nominated for and won numerous awards, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film (The Fantastic Flying Books Of Mrs. Lessmore). He is considered one of the best children’s books authors.
Lost Ollie revolves around a young boy named Billy and his toy, Oz. Billy has a lot of toys, but his favorite one is a plush bunny, Oswald. Oswald (Oz), gets to accompany him wherever he goes.
Between Zozo and Oz, there is growing rivalry; the least liked vs the most liked. Zozo is reminded that he is the toy who was not chosen at the amusement park when he sees Oz. Zozo is so angry by the rejection that he makes it his goal to punish all of the toys that Billy considers as his favorites. When Oz is left under the table at a wedding, Zozo sees an opportunity and takes it.
When Oz finds he isn’t the only “lost” toy held hostage by Zozo and his crew, he is driven into action. He must save himself as well as the other captives.
Lost Ollie Release Date
No release date or trailer for Lost Ollie has been revealed yet, but it has been confirmed that the production has been wrapped up.
The series is expected to release in early 2022, so we are hoping to see updates very soon.
The production team and the cast behind Lost Ollie have made our expectations, from the series go off the roof.
Cast
Jonathan Groff, famous for his roles in Mindhunter, Hamilton, and Frozen, will voice Ollie, a handcrafted toy bunny created from scraps. Ollie has a pure spirit and a golden heart, and he never misses an opportunity to make friends. He’s been best friends with Billy for as long as he can remember, until one day he finds himself at a resale shop with nowhere to go. Despite his fear of the unknown, Ollie puts on a brave face and sets off to find Billy, meeting other toys along the road who end up helping him.
Billy, a young boy with a mind filled with creativity, will be played by Kesler Talbot (Deliver by Christmas). His toy Ollie, a handcrafted bunny made by his adored mother, has a special bond with him and joins him on all of his journeys. When Ollie goes missing, Billy sets out on a search quest to find him.
Zozo, a clown doll who is both an old toy and an even older spirit, will be voiced by Tim Blake Nelson, last seen in HBO’s Watchmen. After meeting Ollie and hearing his story, Zozo agrees to help Ollie on his adventure.
Rosy, a raggedy teddy bear sewn together from different toys, will be voiced by Oscar nominee Mary j. Blige (The Umbrella Academy, Mudbound). Rosy is a strong warrior who exudes confidence and is immensely passionate. While initially skeptical of Ollie, she proves to be a valuable ally as they start their quest.
Golden Globe winner Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin, Carmen Sandiego) will be playing Sharon, Billy’s mother. Sharon is a caring woman who encourages her son’s creativity and imagination. She makes the most of their time together, teaching Billy what he needs to know in order to be happy in the future.
James, Billy’s father will be played by Jake Johnson (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Jurassic World). James is overworked and worried, but he is doing his best to care for Billy and Sharon. That stress causes him to be short with Billy at times, but he is doing everything he can to provide a nice life for his son.
Lost Ollie Production
Shannon Tindle, who worked on Coraline as a designer and wrote the stop-motion fantasy picture Kubo and the Two Strings, has adapted the series. Peter Ramsey, who directed popular and critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will also be directing Lost ollie. Industrial Lights & Magic, who most recently worked on the Disney+ blockbuster series The Mandalorian, will create the CGI characters in Lost ollie.
The series is executive produced by Stranger Things producers Shawn Levy, Emily Morris along with Oscar-winning designer Brandon Oldenbrook, and Josh Barry with 21 Laps Entertainment.