(L) Ncuti Gatwa; (R) Cynthia Erivo 
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Ncuti Gatwa boards animated musical Bad Fairies led by Cynthia Erivo

Bad Fairies, which features Wicked star Cynthia Erivo as Jayne Staplegun, is described as a mischievous and offbeat musical adventure

Cinema Express Desk

Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has joined the voice cast of Bad Fairies, an upcoming animated musical being developed by Warner Bros. Animation and Locksmith Animation.

The project, which features Wicked star Cynthia Erivo as Jayne Staplegun, is described as a mischievous and offbeat musical adventure about a rebellious group of fairies who upend the order of their magical realm. Erivo’s character, Jayne, is a bold and trailblazing fairy whose defiance ignites a full-blown rebellion. Details about Gatwa’s role are still under wraps.

Directed by Megan Nicole Dong with co-director Olivier Staphylas, Bad Fairies marks the first film to emerge from Warner Bros. and Locksmith’s first-look partnership. The movie is currently in production in London and is slated for a theatrical release on May 21, 2027. DNEG Animation serves as the digital production partner.

The original screenplay is penned by Deborah Frances-White, while Six: The Musical creators Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss are writing the songs. Seven-time Grammy nominee Isabella “Machine” Summers of Florence + The Machine fame is composing the score, with Ian Eisendrath (KPop Demon Hunters) serving as executive music producer.

Carolyn Soper is producing the film, which boasts a strong creative lineup, including editor Sim Evan-Jones, cinematographer James CJ Williams, character designer Uwe Heidschötter, heads of story Rikke Asbjoern and Chris Garbutt, and production designers Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn and Mike Redman.

With Gatwa and Erivo leading the voice cast, Bad Fairies is shaping up to be a vibrant and rebellious musical fantasy blending humour, heart, and high-spirited anarchy.

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