Will this success of the animated series “made in France” created by Thomas Astruc continue soon in film? Miraculoushexagonal production was originally a series of eight hundred episodes launched in 2015 before becoming a feature film directed by producer Jeremy Zag. “The series tells a love story that takes place in Paris and which features iconic superheroes, explains the latter to 20 minutes. The series was a hit everywhere because it speaks to everyone. So we used those elements in the film. »
Ladybug and Cat Noir, charismatic vigilantes, join forces against the fearsome Papillon in what, in the animated feature version, has become a musical. “Adding songs allowed to open the door to people who do not know the series, in particular the parents of the youngest spectators who will be able to discover a summary of the plot with their children. »
An animated musical
The mix of genres is anchored in the DNA of Miraculous which was basically a cocktail between 1980s manga and Marvel superheroes. “That’s what thrilled a large audience,” says Jérémy Zag. We used the same for the film where we tried to make a cross between Snow Queen And Spiderman. In the cinema, the feelings of the heroes are expressed in song which promotes the immersion of the spectators without being too explanatory. »
Big change also: the quality of the animation has been revised upwards compared to the episodes of the series. “We had a budget of 15 million euros for 26 half-hours on television, which made it possible to make one of the most qualitative series on the small screen, insists Jérémy Zag. It was essential to do better for cinema, which is more demanding, where we received 80 million euros for 90 minutes. And the director to sing the praises of the many French animators who participated in the development of the film. “If the universal themes of Miraculous explain its international success, the mastery of our artists is also a key asset. »
Originally designed to appeal to children up to 12 years old, these superheroes have far exceeded their core target and should still expand it thanks to the cinema. Miraculous, the movie will be distributed in more than 150 countries. What to make optimistic for the global success of the franchise.