Gungnir Opens New Animation Studio Aiming to Create a Modern Cartoon Network
Gungnir Animation Studio Set to Revolutionize Digital Media Landscape
Los Angeles publisher Gungnir is officially launching an animation studio aimed at creating an in-house YouTube channel that it envisions as “the Cartoon Network of the digital era.”
The newly formed Gungnir Animation Studio will focus on developing original series and feature films for the Gungnir Animation Network, promoted as a “YouTube-first channel that serves as the cultural heartbeat of animation and nerd culture.”
Founder and CEO Matthew Medney initiated this venture alongside a team of industry veterans, including producer Rosa Tran, known for her work on Anomalisa and Robot Chicken; writer Eric W. Phillips, associated with For All Mankind and The Umbrella Academy; and VFX supervisor and executive producer Wayne Brinton, who gained recognition for his roles in Deadpool and Game of Thrones.
The studio’s strategic direction will be supported by an experienced advisory board. This includes Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, founder and CEO of Gotham Group and producer of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere; producer Curtis Lelash from Adventure Time; former CAA agent Barry Kotler; Oliver Luckett, co-founder and CEO of Inkwell Technology Studios; investor Kathy Schlein; and filmmaker Olan Rogers of Final Space fame.
A fundraising initiative has been launched to enhance production capabilities and expand global reach. Tran emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, “Building a network and being able to guide stories and shows for fans is a once-in-a-lifetime endeavor that we will not take lightly. We have a big hill to climb, so put on those hiking boots and let’s go.”
Medney articulated the studio’s ambition, declaring that Gungnir is diving “headfirst into direct-to-fan animation.” He added, “Our mission is nothing short of tearing up the old playbook and building the Cartoon Network of the digital era. With a killer team and deep industry ties, we’re here to ignite a new wave of fan-powered storytelling.”
Phillips, who is collaborating with Gungnir on a dystopian sci-fi novel titled Wild North, expressed enthusiasm about the project. “Writing bold, original, fan-forward stories on a boundless platform is what every genre writer dreams of, and I’m very excited to help build that opportunity with the perfect team, for both creators and fans,” he remarked.
Brinton highlighted the studio’s objectives, stating that the animation division is focused on “putting power back in the hands of artists and rewriting how this industry treats creativity.” He emphasized that through streamlined processes and an emphasis on audience connection, the studio aims to produce original series and films that reflect the vision of their creators—bold, distinctive, and globally resonant.
Gungnir Animation will operate under Gungnir Publishing, which has established a strategic partnership with Macmillan Publishers. This agreement facilitates the integration of stories across various formats, including books, animation, merchandise, and live events.
