Netflix’s ‘Magic: The Gathering’ animated series gets a new showrunner
A fresh start for a long-awaited series
The “Magic: The Gathering” animated series at Netflix is finally moving forward with a new showrunner at the helm. During Netflix’s annual Geeked Week event, it was revealed that Terry Matalas will now be steering the ship. This new iteration of the series is currently in production, produced in collaboration with Hasbro Entertainment and Wizards of the Coast. While plot details remain under wraps, the announcement has rekindled excitement among fans.
Overcoming past hurdles
The journey of bringing “Magic: The Gathering” to the screen has been anything but smooth. Initially announced in 2019, the series was first overseen by the Russo brothers, known for their work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, creative differences led to their departure, and in 2021, Jeff Kline was brought on as the new executive producer and creative lead. Around the same time, Brandon Routh was announced as the voice of the series lead.
Despite these promising developments, news about the series had been scarce, leading to widespread speculation that the project might have been shelved. Routh himself expressed doubts about the series’ future in a recent interview, suggesting it might not be happening anymore. However, with Matalas now in charge, the series is back on track and remains a part of Netflix’s lineup.
Terry Matalas: A seasoned showrunner
This isn’t the only high-profile project Matalas has taken on this year. He is also set to be the showrunner for the upcoming Marvel-Disney+ series “Vision”, starring Paul Bettany. Matalas has garnered significant praise for his work on the third and final season of “Star Trek: Picard”, which was released in 2023 and featured a reunion of the cast from “Star Trek: The Next Generation”.
Matalas is no stranger to the world of science fiction and fantasy. He created and showran the Syfy series “12 Monkeys”, which ran for four seasons. His other notable credits include the CBS reboot of “MacGyver”, “Nightflyers”, “Nikita”, “Terra Nova”, and “Star Trek: Enterprise”. Represented by CAA and Anonymous Content, Matalas brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the “Magic: The Gathering” series.
The legacy of ‘Magic: The Gathering’
Created by Richard Garfield and first released in 1993, “Magic: The Gathering” has become a cultural phenomenon. The tabletop card game has expanded into a digital game, an esports league, a comic book series, and a best-selling novel. It has been published in 11 languages and is available in over 70 countries, making it a truly global franchise.
For those unfamiliar with the game, “Magic: The Gathering” involves players using decks of cards representing magical spells, creatures, and artifacts to defeat their opponents. The game’s rich lore and complex mechanics have captivated millions of players worldwide, making it a natural fit for an animated series.
A new chapter begins
With Terry Matalas at the helm, the “Magic: The Gathering” animated series is poised to bring the beloved card game to life in a new and exciting way. Fans can look forward to seeing how the intricate world of Magic is translated to the screen, complete with its iconic characters and epic battles.
For more information and to stay updated on the latest developments, you can check out the Magic: The Gathering trailer and information page.
As we await further details, the anticipation continues to build. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the card game or new to the world of Magic, this series promises to be a thrilling addition to Netflix’s lineup.