We’re still a long way from seeing next year’s kids’ animation series, Star Trek: Prodigy, warp into our quadrant, but this week the driving creative force behind the show has been named by Nickelodeon and CBS’ Eye Animation Productions.
On Monday, the network and studio announced that Swiss-born director and producer Ben Hibon will serve as the director, co-executive producer, and creative lead behind Prodigy — the CG-animated show coming to Nickelodeon in 2021 — which follows a group of teens who take command of an abandoned Starfleet vessel.
Here’s the official press release on the news:
AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER BEN HIBON TO DIRECT NICKELODEON’S ANIMATED SERIES, STAR TREK: PRODIGY
BURBANK, Calif.—August 10, 2020—Nickelodeon and CBS Television Studios today announced that award-winning director and producer Ben Hibon (Codehunters) will direct, co-executive produce and serve as the creative lead of Nickelodeon’s all-new animated series Star Trek: Prodigy.
The CG-animated series, which expands the Star Trek Universe, follows a group of lawless teens who discover a derelict Starfleet ship and use it to search for adventure, meaning and salvation. Star Trek: Prodigy will debut exclusively on Nickelodeon in 2021 for a new generation of fans.
“Ben’s contributions to the world of animation are immeasurable, and we are so lucky to have his vision and creative genius on Star Trek: Prodigy. As an incredible storyteller and a world builder with a distinct vision, his original approach paired with this beloved property will bring the characters to life in a whole new way,” said Ramsey Naito, Executive Vice President, Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon Group.
Said Hibon, “Getting the chance to work on an IP like Star Trek has been an incredible opportunity, particularly when partnered with the talented teams at Nickelodeon, CBS and Secret Hideout – who have been pushing the boundaries of what animation and serialized storytelling for younger audiences can deliver.”
Hibon’s perhaps best known work is the animated Tale of Three Brothers sequence in 2010’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, which he directed — and would later go on to earn an Academy Award nomination for the tale.
He also directed the 2006 short film Codehunters, which received critical acclaim at dozens of international film festivals in 2006 and 2007.
Star Trek: Prodigy, expected to debut sometime in 2021, will be from CBS’ Eye Animation Productions, CBS Television Studios’ new animation arm; Secret Hideout; and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Katie Krentz, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers alongside Kevin and Dan Hageman. Mac Middleton will serve as a producer with Aaron Baiers as co-executive producer.