Iginio Straffi, creator of the six teenage fairies in the ‘Winx Club’ TV franchise that enchanted millions of tween girls and spawned Netflix’s live-action ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’, is launching a new series called ‘Gormiti – The New Era’.
The male-dominated live-action “Gormiti” series follows four boys – each representing a different elemental tribe from their homeland of Gorm – and Ao-ki, a Light Girl who guides and trains them. With her help, the boys must learn to master their elemental arm bracers, which, when used properly, summon legendary heroes and gods of the respective elements to fight on their behalf. Standing in their way is Voidus, leader of the evil Darkans, who wish to escape their shadowy world of Darkor and conquer Gorm.
The Gormiti first appeared in 2005 as a collection of colourful and highly detailed toys produced by Italy’s Giochi Preziosi, who are now co-financing the 20-episode (10 per season) English-language show with Rainbow and will be leading the licensing of the series.
Since 2005, The Gormiti have sold over 500 million units in more than 50 countries, generating more than $1.5 billion in sales. A new range of toys will be launched in Autumn 2024 to coincide with the release of the live action series.
Shot largely in spectacular locations in central Italy, including real grottos and castles, “Gormiti” uses a lot of special effects and computer graphics and “makes the most” of its roughly €15 million ($16 million) budget, Straffi said. He pointed out that the main cast – Millie Fortunato Asquini (Skye – Scion), Federico Cempella (Zane – Scion), Robel Araya (Glen – Scion), Francesco Bertozzi (Carter – Scion) and Claire Palazzo (Myridell) – are all fluent in English “as we are clearly targeting the international kids and tween market as well as Italy”.
Gormiti will be directed by Italy’s Mario Parruccini. The show, which is fully financed by Rainbow and Giochi Preziosi, “is being made for both platforms and linear TV,” Straffi said.
As for taking The Winx to the next level in the live-action sphere, Straffi confirmed previously announced plans for a theatrical feature, but noted that “it’s clear that we need a US studio or streamer” as a partner.
Meanwhile, a reboot of the original “Winx” animated series is in the pipeline for next year, the 20th anniversary of the first “Winx Club” series. Straffi described the ninth instalment of the Winx Club – produced by Rainbow in association with RAI Ragazzi, a unit of Italian public broadcaster RAI – as “a very important reboot” that “while retaining the ‘Winx’ DNA, is written in a style that is more congenial to today’s youth”.
