The agreement will focus on adapting HarperCollins’s standout IP into comedy-driven stories designed to engage a four-quadrant audience, delivering films that resonate globally and entertain and delight the entire family.
The book-to-screen adaptations will be drawn from the vast array of children’s books published by HarperCollins Publishers and will begin production in 2026, with Mischief and Mayhem by Ken Lamug serving as the first title in development. The deal further aligns with Viva’s and Cantilever’s commitment to expand their original content, as well as HarperCollins’s goal to extend their IP to new audiences. Viva Pictures will distribute the films in North America while Cantilever’s distribution arm Kazoo Films will take all the films for release in the UK and Ireland.
Mischief and Mayhem is a wildly funny graphic novel series from author-illustrator Ken Lamug. Best described as Dog Man meets Despicable Me, it follows the dynamic duo Mischief and Mayhem, two unlikely heroes who tumble into supervillainy after being kicked out of superhero camp. Packed with humor, action, and heart, it’s a perfect pick for families who love chaotic fun and unforgettable characters.
Victor Elizalde, President of Viva Pictures said:
“HarperCollins has one of the most treasured catalogs in children’s publishing, with stories that have shaped imaginations for generations. This partnership allows us to bring that storytelling legacy to life on screen in a way that’s both creatively ambitious and globally scalable. With our animation studio in Spain and Cantilever’s world-class production expertise, we’re building a slate of high-quality, emotionally rich films that can travel across markets and generations — strengthening Viva’s long-term strategy to grow our portfolio of original, globally marketable IP.”
“Cantilever’s mission has always been to champion storytelling that connects emotionally while standing up commercially on the global stage,” said Andrew Baker, Founder and CEO of Cantilever Media and Kazoo Films. “By joining forces with Viva Pictures and HarperCollins, we’re combining creative excellence with strategic ambition — turning celebrated literary properties into cinematic worlds that can inspire, entertain, and endure. This collaboration brings together the best of British creativity and international reach, paving the way for stories with true cultural and commercial longevity.”
Caroline Fraser, Head of HarperCollins Productions, added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Viva Pictures and Cantilever Media on a dynamic slate of animated movies that will bring some of our most hilarious and original stories to the screen. By combining HarperCollins’s unmatched library of storytelling with their expertise in animation and distribution, we are creating a powerful path for our authors and their incredible stories to reach even broader audiences around the world — whether in theaters, on streaming platforms, or in new international markets. Together, we look forward to building an enduring pipeline of animated movies.”
The precursor to this deal is Viva Pictures’ ongoing co-production slate of four original animated features for theatrical release in 2027, which includes The Amazing Maurice 2 (in partnership with Cantilever Media), On the Edge, Flamingo Flamenco, and Unstable. In addition, Viva Pictures is set to distribute ten animated films nationally through the end of 2027 including the recent release of Pets on a Train and Grand Prix of Europe, Charlie the Wonderdog starring Owen Wilson on January 16, Buffalo Kids on February 6, and The Pout-Pout Fish on March 20, 2026.
