SC Films International has started production on “Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes,” a sequel to its 2017 animated family film, and will launch worldwide sales at next month’s American Film Market.
Peter Lepeniotis, the director of “The Nut Job,” returns to write and direct. Production is split between California and Toronto. Simon Crowe and Matthew Joynes produce for SC Films alongside Lepeniotis, Kevin Hicks, Nathaniel Hunter and Euan Macdonald.
The project is the first release under a multi-picture, multi-year pact among SC Films, SiXiTZ Studios and Magieva. SC Films has described the deal as a long-term commitment, though terms were not disclosed.
The sequel sends Chloe and Liam back in time to rescue humanity from warring families and the Troggs, with the gnomes Quicksilver, Zook and Zamfeer at their side. The Troggs are the creatures the gnomes guarded against in the first film, where a magical keystone held them back.
Crowe called the original “one of our most successful titles,” adding that the company had always wanted a follow-up. The first film played theaters worldwide, and Netflix took North America. Its voice cast included Becky G, Josh Peck, George Lopez and Patrick Stump. Critics were cool on it: Rotten Tomatoes lists a 45 percent score.
That history gives the sequel a built-in sales pitch for international buyers, who commonly gravitate toward familiar family titles at the market. The American Film Market is where independent distributors close many of their animated pre-sales.
SC Films is bringing a broad slate to the market. Two other animated features, “Girl in the Clouds” and “Zsazsa Zaturnnah,” join the live-action films “Breeder,” which IFC has picked up, and “Cotton Eye Joe,” currently in post-production.
No release date has been set for “Game of Gnomes,” and the studio has not named its voice cast.
