WildBrain signs Bonnie Arnold for Cressida Cowell adaptations

Which Way To Anywhere

Canadian kids & family firm Wildbrain has inked an overall first-look deal with How To Train Your Dragon producer Bonnie Arnold.

Under the terms of the deal, Arnold will spearhead numerous episodic projects, TV specials and features for WildBrain. Initial projects include Which Way To Anywhere, the latest novel from Cressida Cowell, the author of the How To Train Your Dragon series, as well as Cowell’s Emily Brown picture books. WildBrain has exclusively optioned both properties from Cowell.

Which Way To Anywhere, was published in September 2022 and is described as “an out-of-this-world adventure” about K2 O’Hero, a seemingly ordinary boy who, along with his twin sister Izzabird have been sworn to keep their family’s magical history a secret.

The five-volume Emily Brown picture-book series, meanwhile, follows Emily and her toy rabbit, Stanley, as they embark on intrepid adventures to help others.

Arnold produced all three How To Train Your Dragon movies for DreamWorks Animation, based on Cowell’s novels, which have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. The Dragons film franchise has meanwhile grossed more than $1.6bn worldwide.

Eric Ellenbogen, CEO at WildBrain, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that we’ve reunited Bonnie Arnold with Cressida Cowell for two terrific new projects at WildBrain.

“Bonnie is a treasure in the world of animation, combining not only outstanding creative and storytelling vision, but also a keen commercial sensibility. Given her stewardship of the Dragons franchise, there’s no one better to bring Cressida’s splendid new novel, Which Way To Anywhere, to life on screen.