Canuck firms prep Goonies-inspired drama

Canadian producers Marblemedia and Omnifilm Entertainment have partnered to create a scripted series that Toronto-based Distribution360 will sell internationally.

The Odyssey is billed as a “fun and suspenseful adventure with a tone reminiscent of the classic adventure comedy The Goonies”.

Showrunners Simon Racioppa and Richard Elliott (Fangbone), who are currently creating an original one-hour pilot with Robert Kirkman’s Skybound Entertainment, are adapting the script.

The plot follows a group of kids who find themselves in a mysterious forest, Downworld, and have to find their way home.

“We’ve been passionately committed to finding IP that offers an immersive and imaginative world for young viewers,” said Matt Hornburg, co-CEO and executive producer, Marblemedia, which has bases in Toronto and LA.

“Audiences of this age are underserved in serialised live action, particularly a series such as The Odyssey which balances fun, adventure and mystery.”

Distribution360 will sell the show. Yesterday, the company revealed it had picked up a number of factual and kids series.

Among them, The Mystery Files is a 13x30mins adventure series for TVOKids, and Snapshot is a 6x30mins Forte Entertainment effort for CBC Kids.