Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos has offered up some positive news on Leo 2, revealing that a sequel to the animated film may be in the works.
During a recent earnings call from the streamer (via TheWrap), Sarandos was asked about the success of Leo, which starred Adam Sandler from a script written by director Robert Smigel, Sandler, and Paul Sado. Sarandos said that a new film is being “kicked around” now, as a matter of fact.
“We’re kicking around Leo 2 right now,” Sarandos said. “The animation team is firing on all cylinders…Look, I think Leo resonated for the same reason The Sea Beast did last year. People love it. And they do watch it over and over again, which drives engagement and attachment. Leo and The Sea Beast are proof points that we can create original IP in the animated space. I’m super thrilled with Leo.”
What is Leo about?
“Set in the last year of elementary school – as seen through the eyes of a class pet,” reads the synopsis. “Jaded 74-year-old lizard Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher. It ends up being the strangest but most rewarding bucket list ever…”
The coming-of-age animated musical comedy is directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim from a script co-written by Smigel, Sandler, and Paul Sado. In addition to Sandler, the film will also feature the voices of Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Rob Schneider, Jo Koy, Jackie Sandler, Heidi Gardner, Robert Smigel, Nick Swardson, Stephanie Hsu, and Nicholas Turturro.
Leo is executive produced by Barry Bernardi, Allen Covert, and Paul Sado, with Sandler and Mireille Sora. This marks the third time this year that Sandler will be starring in an original Netflix movie following recent appearances in Murder Mystery 2 and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah.
