Alvin and the Chipmunks are gearing up for action as the brand begins a new chapter.
Big Shot Pictures has closed a joint venture with Bagdasarian Productions, which owns the property. Big Shot, founded by Brian Robbins, has acquired a 25 percent ownership stake in Alvin and the Chipmunks and will develop new projects for the franchise. This includes the big screen feature that has begun development and aims for a theatrical release in late 2028, coinciding with the franchise’s 70th anniversary.
A distributor has not yet been appointed for the planned film. Big Shot’s Instagram account posted a photo of a new design for Alvin and captioned, “The Chipmunks are back.”
The new deal will also open the door to developing short-form digital content for YouTube and other platforms, as well as music opportunities. Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and Janice Kerman of Bagdasarian Productions have led the franchise since the 1970s.
The world of Alvin and the Chipmunks was created in 1958 by Ross Bagdasarian, and centers around Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, three singing chipmunk brothers who live with Dave Seville, their manager and legal guardian. In addition to earning six Grammy Awards and launching several television series, the property spawned a 2007 live-action musical film produced by 20th Century Fox. Alvin and the Chipmunks And three sequels. The films have grossed approximately $1.5 billion at the global box office, with their most recent title being the 2015 film. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Slice of the Road.
Robbins, the former Paramount CEO, launched Big Shot earlier this year, and the company secured a first-time theatrical distribution deal with Sony. Big Shot got it Eloise at the Plaza franchise and has an anime series in the works with YouTube creator IShowSpeed.
“Ross and Janice have built one of the most enduring brands in the history of family entertainment,” Robbins, CEO of Big Shot Pictures, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with the Bagdasians to bring Alvin and the crew into the 21st century with the scale, creativity and energy they deserve.”
Bagdasaryan Jr. and Carman added in a joint statement, “We have guarded nearly seven decades of Chipmunk content, waiting for the right opportunity. Working with Brian and the amazing team he has assembled made this collaboration perfect.”
Wall Street Journal He was the first to report on the deal and the planned film.
