Arcane Studio Announces Upcoming Animated Sci-Fi Greek Mythology Film

Fortiche Production, known for its acclaimed work on Netflix’s Arcane, is embarking on an ambitious new project – a feature-length animated sci-fi film inspired by Greek mythology titled “Penelope of Sparta.” The film marks a significant milestone for the animation studio as it ventures into original content creation and feature filmmaking for the first time.

The announcement was made by Jérôme Combe, Co-Founder and President of Fortiche Production, during the inaugural Studio Focus session at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Penelope of Sparta weaves a sci-fi narrative around the coming-of-age journey of the legendary character from Homer’s The Odyssey. Set against a world reminiscent of ancient Greece, the story centres around Penelope, a seventeen-year-old student at an elite high school. This unique academic setting also hosts other renowned mythological figures such as Achilles, Helen, Circe, Agamemnon, and Odysseus.

Despite the competitive ethos that dominates school life, where students engage in a relentless quest for superiority, Penelope stands apart. She remains indifferent to the rivalries, choosing instead to dedicate herself to a daunting task bestowed upon her by her father, the King of Sparta: she is to liberate the Spartan people from the dominion of Athens.

This venture into filmmaking signifies Fortiche’s strategic transition from being a service-oriented creative studio to one that produces its proprietary content. With Penelope of Sparta, the studio aims to cater to both adult and young adult audiences, specifically targeting those aged 13 and above. The film promises to showcase Fortiche’s distinctive visual style, which blends painted 2D visuals in a 3D format, a technique that has already captivated global audiences and earned widespread critical acclaim.

The creative team behind Penelope of Sparta includes some of the industry’s finest talents. Jérôme Combe, taking the lead as co-founder of Fortiche Production and producer of Arcane, and Silvia Martelossi, known for her animation work on The Secret Life of Pets 2 and The Grinch, are at the helm of development. The screenplay is penned by Amanda Overton, who brought her storytelling expertise to the first season of Arcane as an executive story editor.