Full Breakdown
Vivienne Medrano to Write and Direct Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s Original Musical “Prehistoria”
6/23/2026, 2:35:22 AM
Prehistoria Unveiled at Annecy
On June 22 2026, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) president Bill Damaschke announced the studio’s newest original feature, Prehistoria, during the Annecy International Animation Festival. The film is billed as a “fossil fantasy animated musical” and will be released theatrically, though a specific release window has not yet been disclosed.
From YouTube to the Big Screen: Vivienne Medrano’s Path
Online animator Vivienne Medrano—known online as “VivziePop”—gained prominence with the YouTube-originated series *Hazbin Hotel* (2019) and its spin-off *Helluva Boss* (2020). Both series migrated to Amazon Prime Video, where *Hazbin Hotel* debuted in early 2024 and later added a second season. Medrano’s work, produced through her company SpindleHorse, has amassed billions of views and established her as a leading independent creator in animation.
Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s Creator-Centric Slate
Medrano’s partnership exemplifies WBPA’s stated strategy of collaborating with creators who have strong direct-to-fan followings. The Annecy showcase also highlighted other upcoming WBPA projects, including the original musical *Bad Fairies* (co-produced with Locksmith Animation) and the adaptation *The Lunar Chronicles*. By pairing established studio resources with creator-driven properties, WBPA aims to broaden its audience base.
Production Team and Creative Vision
Medrano will both write and direct *Prehistoria*, marking her first theatrical feature. The story is set outside her “Hellaverse” and will explore an original prehistoric world. Medrano is represented by CAA, Redefine Entertainment, and RLG. WBPA’s president Bill Damaschke positioned the project as a long-held idea finally realized with a studio whose characters and stories “have been a huge part of my life.” Production is underway, with further artistic details to be released as development progresses.
Industry Implications
The announcement underscores the growing influence of independent, platform-originated creators on mainstream studio pipelines. By granting Medrano full creative control, WBPA signals confidence that creator-led concepts can succeed in the theatrical market, potentially encouraging other studios to pursue similar collaborations.
Official Statements & Responses
WBPA framed the deal as evidence of its commitment to “bold, creator-driven voices” and to tapping talent with established fan communities. Medrano emphasized that the project fulfills a personal ambition to work on a feature film and highlighted her enthusiasm for sharing the new “fossil fantasy world” with audiences.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Since I began my animation journey, my biggest dream was to be part of a feature film.” — Vivienne Medrano, Animator
- “Now to be creating an original story that I have been holding for years with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, a studio whose characters and stories have been a huge part of my life, is truly a dream come true. I’m SO excited to share this fossil fantasy world with everyone!” — Vivienne Medrano, Animator
- “Prehistoria,” is a “fossil fantasy animated musical.” — Warner Bros. Pictures Animation press release
What’s Next
WBPA’s Annecy presentation outlined a slate of seven feature films and one short slated for release between 2026 and 2028, with *Prehistoria* positioned as a cornerstone of the studio’s creator-focused direction. As development continues, additional casting, music, and visual details are expected to be revealed in future WBPA updates.
