Netflix has greenlit a new live-action family film set in the world of synchronized ice skating and a new StoryBots special about space.
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Greenleaf, Motown: The Musical), Take the Ice follows a 15-year-old who dreams of becoming an ice skater. But as a Black girl from Brooklyn, her dreams don’t seem possible—at least until an opportunity arises to join her local synchro team. The film is written by Deborah Swisher (That’s So Raven) and executive produced by Debra Martin Chase (The Princess Diaries), Randolph-Wright and Olympic figure skating medalist Brian Boitano, who also serves as choreographer. Take the Ice is in the casting stage, and there was no run-time or release date available at press time.
In other Netflix news, the SVOD also picked up a new StoryBots special to accompany an upcoming documentary about space. The doc, Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space (pictured), follows four civilians who are being launched into space for a three-day trip orbiting Earth. It’s being produced by TIME Studios, Known and Words & Pictures for an all-ages audience.
To accompany the doc, Netflix has commissioned the team behind Ask the StoryBots to make a hybrid live-action/animation co-viewing special. A StoryBots Space Adventure will feature the civilians taking part in Inspiration4 mission as they answer questions from the little animated characters, such as how a rocket works and where do astronauts sleep. It’s scripted by Erik Weiner and includes an original song by Big Freedia. The special is being produced by Mindshow and will premiere on September 14.