Taylor Gray (Star Wars: Rebels) has joined the star-studded cast of the sci-fi animation series NEW-GEN, based on the Marvel-distributed comic-book series by J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti and Julia Coppola of A.P.N.G. Enterprises. The series is being animated by Emmy-winning production house Pixeldust Studios.
Gray will star as superhero Diamond. Previously announced cast includes Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things), Nick Wolfhard (Fire Emblem), Anya Chalotra (The Witcher), Lena Headey (Game of Thrones), Luke Wilson (Stargirl) and Henry Rollins (The Legend of Korra).
Additionally, the studio has announced that Grammy Award-winning and Golden Globe-nominated composer Jerry Wonda of Platinum Sound Studios will be producing the soundtrack for NEW-GEN, alongside partner John Loeffler. Wonda is best-known for his songs including “Hips Don’t Lie” (Shakira), “Maria Maria” (Carlos Santana) and other hits with award-winning artists Rihanna, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, John Legend, Janet Jackson, and more.
Loeffler has created soundtracks for national advertising brands such as American Airlines, Coca Cola and Ford Trucks. He is the co-composer of Pokémon songs including “Gotta Catch ‘em All” and has accomplished 15 years of Pokémon underscore music, as well as working on Yu-Gi-Oh! and others. He has recently served as the EVP of BMG, overseeing the signing of John Fogerty, Journey, Chicago and Rufus Wainwright.
Synopsis: The series centers on twin brothers who live as ordinary teenagers and nanotech enhanced superheroes: NEW-GEN is a futuristic utopia where human beings, alien creatures and mechanical lifeforms peacefully coexist. Designed and built with nanotechnology, NEW-GEN balances nature and technology, weaving together an ecologically sustainable paradise. Its existence becomes threatened by a nanotech war and heroes from Earth and NEW-GEN are called to defeat the encroaching evil.
NEW-GEN is created and produced by A.P.N.G.’s J.D. Matonti, Chris Matonti and Julia Coppola. The writer/showrunner is Brent Friedman, whose credits include the Star Wars franchise, and it is co-written by Eugene Son, who has worked on major superhero franchises including Avengers Assemble, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.
The project is planned as a multi-platform, multi-tech experience. Viewers will be able to download an augmented reality app enabling players’ use of nanotech powers to battle various creatures from the show. Fans can explore a web-based experience which weaves scientific fact and fiction to depict what nanotech is and where it might be in the future.
The animated series will be directed by J.D. Matonti, who is repped by Zero Gravity Management. Jetpack Distribution has worldwide TV distribution. Joester Loria Group will be the licensing and merchandising partner for NEW-GEN.
Gray is repped by INSURGE-Ent, Seven Summits Pictures & Management, Sutton, barth, & Vennari, and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson McGinnis Ryan.
