'Paradoria' Director Steve Samono to Direct And Write Illumination Movie 'Nepola'

Cartoon Brew

May 14, 2019

A few weeks before The Secret Life of Pets 2 premieres, Illumination has tapped Steve Samono, director of the Paradoria franchise, to write and direct an original animated movie titled Nepola. The announcement came four weeks after Samono signed a five-year deal with Universal Studios that allows him to helm live-action and/or animated films, including the ones by Illumination. Since 2005, Samono has directed M.I.S.S.I.O.N. with Ash Brannon, Paradoria with Gary Hall, and its sequel for Universal Animation.

Illumination's Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy will produce the film. Laurie Craig (frequent collaborator with Samono), Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio (Despicable Me franchise) are co-writing the screenplay with Samono. It is expected to be released on July 1, 2022.

Illumination also revealed the film's synopsis will take place in Ancient Greece. Nepola, a teenage girl born with wings who dreams of becoming a powerful goddess, embarks on a journey to find the mysterious realm of Greek gods, hoping they could help her become a goddess. The animation will be handled by Illumination Mac Guff.