Disney is staying in the Shawn Levy business. The company just signed the Star Wars: Starfighter director and his company, 21 Laps, to a big, new, overall production deal to develop television shows across all of Disney’s brands. That team was previously set up at Netflix, where they made a little show called Stranger Things. But, now, if there’s another original show like Stranger Things, it’ll be at Disney.
“Shawn has a rare ability to tell stories that are wildly entertaining and deeply human, something he’s brought to Disney across two decades,” Dana Walden, Disney’s President and Chief Creative Officer, said in a statement. “He moves effortlessly across genres and franchises with a remarkable sense of what captures audiences and inspires passionate fandom. He’s an incredible storyteller and a true creative partner of the highest caliber, and we are thrilled to be building this next chapter together.”
And while this deal is for Levy and his company to develop TV projects, you can’t ignore that it comes on the heels of Levy working on one of Disney’s biggest projects in years: Star Wars: Starfighter. The first Star Wars movie set after the events of The Rise of Skywalker comes with massive expectations from both fans and, certainly, the studio, especially after the disappointing release of The Mandalorian and Grogu. Disney wanting to work with Levy more after Starfighter, not to mention signing him and Gosling together to make Ghost Rider for Marvel, certainly suggests the company believes in, trusts, and is happy with Levy’s work.
Which makes sense. After all, while Levy has made several Disney and Fox movies over the years (Deadpool and Wolverine, Free Guy, the Night at the Museum series, etc.), he got his start working in children’s programming, both for Nickelodeon (The Secret World of Alex Mack, The Journey of Allen Strange) and Disney Channel (The Famous Jett Jackson, So Weird, etc.).
“Years before I directed movies, I started my career directing and producing television episodes for Disney Channel, and I’ve always felt a kindred spirit in Disney and their storytelling ethos,” Levy said. “Having worked with Dana Walden over the years when we were both at Fox, I know her to be a formidable, smart and authentic person, not to mention a force of nature as an executive. Coupled with the amazing Debra O’Connell, Disney Television has such an exciting era ahead, and I’m enthusiastic and inspired to produce the next wave of 21 Laps television series with the entire Disney team. I know from experience the passionate creative DNA of this place, and it honestly just feels like home.”
With Levy’s departure, Netflix has now lost not just the directors and creators of its marquee show (The Duffer Brothers signed a deal with Paramount) but the producer as well. Nevertheless, Levy was very complimentary to his former partner, especially since the Stranger Things franchise remains at Netflix even if its creators do not.
“I will forever cherish the incredible ride 21 Laps has had with Netflix,” Levy said. “I am deeply grateful to Ted, Bela, Jinny and the many talented Netflix execs with whom we have worked over the years and, of course, look forward to continuing our collaboration on the Stranger Things universe from the Duffer Brothers.”
There’s no way Disney would sign Levy up for a new deal if they didn’t love Starfighter, right? Let us know what you think below.
An earlier version of the story said Shawn Levy directed “The Fall Guy.” We meant Free Guy, and that has been updated.
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