As Zack Snyder is prepping Army of the Dead for Netflix, the filmmaker has just extended his partnership with the streaming giant into its anime division with the announcement that Snyder and his frequent storyboard collaborator Jay Oliva (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) are teaming together for an untitled anime series based on Norse mythology.
Oliva and Snyder will write the series together while Oliva will ultimately showrun, direct and executive produce. Snyder will also executive produce the series alongside Deborah Snyder and Wesley Coller through the Snyders’ Stone Quarry Animation.
“Zack Snyder’s innovation in visual storytelling has pushed the industry forward and established him as one of the most distinctive filmmakers of his generation. We are beyond excited to partner with him and his exceptional team to bring the iconic characters and stories of Norse mythology to life in his inimitable style,” said John Derderian, Netflix’s Head of Anime.
Snyder and Oliva have had a long working relationship with Oliva providing storyboards for several of Snyder’s films, namely Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League and even the Superman 75 animated short Snyder directed for Superman’s 75th anniversary. Oliva himself has plenty of experience working on storyboards in live-action and animation for DC and Marvel as well directing several animated features. Other credits for Oliva include Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor Ragnarok, Wonder Woman, Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow and Justice League Dark.
While Snyder is working on Army of the Dead, this won’t be the first time Oliva will have worked for Netflix either as he is currently working on the original anime series Trese.
The news comes as Netflix is in the midst of bolstering its animated content. Current animated shows in development include a new Ghost in the Shell and Ultraman series, the Greek mythology-focused Gods and Heroes, Pacific Rim, Altered Carbon and Transformers: War for Cybertron.