France’s Good Hero Expands ‘Ballerina’ Universe With Sequel, TV Series

Paris-based production company Good Hero has announced feature animation Ballerina 2, a sequel to the aspirational 2016 hit Ballerina which was released in the U.S. under the title of Leap!.

Production on the film begins this month on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the successful release of the original film, which played in more than 100 countries worldwide to achieve a $120m gross.

The announcement signals the first step in Good Hero’s plans to expand the Ballerina universe across multiple media platforms, including film, television, and digital including YouTube.

Good Hero principals Gregory Ouanhon (Sisu, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Replicas) and Laurent Zeitoun (Fireheart, The Intouchables, The Death of Stalin, C’est la vie, Aline) are producing the film while the latter wrote the screenplay and is directing.

Gaumont, which also worked on Ballerina, returns as the French and international theatrical distributor, with a planned global release scheduled for late 2029.

The original Ballerina – which was voiced in English by Elle Fanning and Dane DeHaan and in French by Camille Cottin and Malik Bentalha – followed a young girl who flees a rural orphanage to pursue her dream of becoming a ballerina at the Paris Grand Opera House.

“Ballerina’s aspirational story of female empowerment has continued to resonate with new audiences over the last decade and is even more relevant today,” said Zeitoun and Ouanhon.

“The film embodies what it means to follow your dreams — the universal values of overcoming challenges, hard work and commitment, the power of artistic expression, and creating positive change in the world by being true to yourself. We want to expand the Ballerina universe and introduce this magical, heartwarming story to a new generation of young women who already personify these values.”

Gaumont’s Alexis Cassanet, EVP International Distribution & Co-Productions, said the company was happy to continue the Ballerina adventure with Ouanhon and Zeitoun.

“Ballerina remains one of the most successful independent animated films at the worldwide box office, demonstrating its strength and universal themes. The DNA of the franchise is timeless and has the power to delight multiple generations of families,” he said.

Separately, as part of the lead-up to a digital expansion of the Ballerina universe, Good Hero is also developing an animated television series to launch in wake of the new film.

Award-winning British Andrew Burrell, best known for writing on Matt Groening’s Netflix animated series Disenchantment and the BBC’s EastEnders, will serve as series writer.

Burrell was previously Head Writer and Script Editor on the animated series Sasha and Milo (2023–2024), which aired globally on Max, Banijay Studios, and Discovery Kids. He is also the writer behind the celebrated Danger Mouse reboot (2015–2019). Andrew Burrell is represented by Independent Talent Group.

The Ballerina 2 universe announcement follows hot on the heels of Good Hero’s Cannes Market presentation with StudioCanal/Mediawan of the first footage from its upcoming animated feature, Wings of Freedom, voiced by Eva Longoria and Nicholas Galitzine.

Set in Mexico, Salana, a cautious harpy eagle and devoted teacher, is thrust into the flamboyant Animal Air Force. Paired with quirky swift Lieutenant Pirro, she races to outsmart the mischievous AI, Eternity!.

Previously released Good Hero animated features include animated feature Fireheart (aka Vaillante), which was released in the U.S. on Hulu, and voiced in English by Olivia Cooke, William Shatner, and Kenneth Branagh.