Photo Credit: Amber Navarro

Elfman Joins Linda Woolverton, Writer of “Lion King,” “Beauty and The Beast,” “Maleficent,” and “Alice In Wonderland,” who will Guide Production as Executive Producer; and John Rivoli, Creative Force Behind Consumer Product Programs for “Harry Potter,” “Batman,” ‘SpongeBob,” “The Lord of The Rings,” and “Wicked, Leads as Creative Director


BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kartoon Studios (NYSE American: TOON) today announced that multi-award-winning Danny Elfman , one of the most acclaimed and versatile composers in film history whose work has helped drive more than $16.8 billion at the worldwide box office, has joined the creative team of the highly-anticipated “Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends,” as composer of the reimagined franchise.

Multi-Academy Award nominated and Emmy & Grammy Award-winning Elfman—whose iconic scores for films such as “Batman,” “Beetlejuice,” “Men in Black,” “the Spider-Man trilogy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “The Grinch,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” as well as the instantly recognizable theme for “The Simpsons,” have become ingrained in the fabric of modern cinema—will compose the original theme song.

Planned as the most ambitious franchise initiative in Kartoon Studios’ history, the project will launch with a package of 208 7-minute episodes, and a package of five Holiday specials that reimagine A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation. The first special is set to premiere in December 2026, with an early sneak peek arriving Christmas Eve 2025—timed to celebrate after the100th anniversary of the original publication of Milne’s beloved classic.

Elfman joins previously announced Executive Producer Linda Woolverton , the visionary screenwriter behind “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Maleficent;” and Creative Director John Rivoli , the celebrated creative force behind consumer product programs for “Harry Potter,” “Batman,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and “SpongeBob SquarePants”, among others.

“The stories of Winnie-the-Pooh hold a timeless innocence and quiet magic that I deeply admire,” said Elfman . “My goal with the theme is to honor A.A. Milne’s enduring spirit, while giving Kartoon Studios’ new interpretation a melody that will feel instantly familiar yet fresh for today’s audiences.”

“Working with Danny Elfman again, after our collaboration on Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ is a privilege,” said Woolverton . “Danny’s music brings imagination and emotional depth like no one else and to have him join us in reimagining Winnie-the-Pooh for a new generation is a gift.”

“Danny’s music has always defined moments of magic, mystery, and wonder,” said Rivoli . “Bringing his artistry into the ‘Winnie and Friends’ gives our creative team a voice that perfectly balances nostalgia with something new.”

“Danny Elfman is one of the most iconic composers in film history, and we are honored to have him bring his genius to ‘Winnie and Friends,” said Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO of Kartoon Studios . “Having Danny’s artistry, Linda’s brilliance, and John’s creative vision is an extraordinary moment for our studio. Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the most beloved and commercially successful properties in the world, having generated approximately $80 billion in retail sales. The launch of our first special in December 2026 will mark the beginning of what we expect will be a global franchise that will endure for decades and create long-term shareholder value.”

About Kartoon Studios
Kartoon Studios (NYSE AMERICAN: TOON) is a global leader in children’s and family entertainment, delivering premium content and high-value intellectual property to millions of viewers worldwide. The company’s portfolio features globally recognized brands including the Stan Lee IP, including Stan Lee’s Universe, Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends Rainbow Rangers , and more. Kartoon Studios operates Mainframe Studios—one of North America’s largest animation producers—with more than 22,000 minutes of award- winning programming delivered.

Through its Toon Media Networks division, including Kartoon Channel!, Kartoon Channel Worldwide in over 60 territories, Ameba, and Frederator Network, Kartoon Studios reaches audiences across linear television, AVOD, SVOD, FAST channels, and top streaming platforms. Kartoon Channel! is consistently rated the #1 kids’ streaming app on the Apple App Store.

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "predict," "forecast," "project," "plan," "intend" or similar expressions, or statements regarding intent, belief, or current expectations, are forward-looking statements and include statements regarding: planned number of episodes and specials of Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends; expected timing of the first special to premier in December 2026 with an early sneak peek arriving Christmas Eve 2025, the goal of the theme song is to honor A.A. Milne’s enduring spirit, while giving Kartoon Studios’ new interpretation a melody that will feel instantly familiar yet fresh for today’s audiences; the launch of the Company’s first Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends special marking what the Company expects will be the beginning of a global franchise that will endure for decades and create long-term shareholder value. While the Company believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to the Company on the date of this release. These forward looking statements are based upon current estimates and assumptions and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the Company’s ability to launch Hundred Acre Wood’s Winnie and Friends when expected; the Company’s ability to produce the content as anticipated; audience reaction to the sneak peek in Christmas 2025 and the first special scheduled to premiere in December 2026; the Company’s ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, if at all; general economic and financial conditions; the Company’s ability to anticipate changes in popular culture, media and movies, fashion and technology; competitive pressure from other distributors of content and within the retail market; the Company’s reliance on and relationships with third-party production and animation studios; the Company’s ability to market and advertise its products; the Company’s reliance on third-parties to promote its products; the Company’s ability to keep pace with technological advances; the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and those other risk factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Thus, actual results could be materially different. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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