The animated movie Ballerina is set to expand with a sequel and a television series.

      It has been a decade since France's animation studio launched Ballerina, and now the studio is broadening the film's universe with an upcoming sequel and a television series. Ballerina, known as Leap! in the U.S., tells the story of a young girl who escapes from a rural orphanage to chase her dream of becoming a ballerina at the Paris Grand Opera House. The English voice cast included Elle Fanning, Dane DeHaan, and Carly Rae Jepsen, while the French version featured Camille Cottin and Malik Bentalha.

      The sequel will be penned and directed by Laurent Zeitoun and produced by him along with Gregory Ouanhon for Good Hero. Gaumont will handle the worldwide distribution for a theatrical release set for 2029. Following the movie, Good Hero plans to expand the franchise into a television series, with Andre Burrell (of Disenchantment fame) serving as the head writer, along with additional content that will include digital videos on YouTube.

      Zeitoun and Ouanhon stated, “Ballerina’s uplifting tale of female empowerment has continued to connect with new audiences over the past decade and feels even more pertinent today. The film represents the essence of pursuing your dreams — embodying universal values such as overcoming obstacles, dedication, and the strength of artistic expression, as well as inspiring positive change by staying true to oneself. We aim to broaden the Ballerina universe and share this enchanting, heartwarming narrative with a new generation of young women who already exemplify these principles.”

      Gaumont’s Alexis Cassanet remarked, “Ballerina stands out as one of the most successful independent animated films at the global box office, showcasing its enduring appeal and universal themes. The essence of the franchise is timeless, capable of captivating multiple generations of families.”

      Ballerina 2 is set for release in 2029.