Activision Blizzard Launches Activision Blizzard Studios

Activision Blizzard today announced the launch of Activision Blizzard Studios, a new film and television studio devoted to creating original content based on the company’s library of intellectual properties, including Call of Duty, Skylanders, Diablo, Hearthstone and Starcraft. Former Disney executive Nick van Dyk has been tapped to co-head the division, along with a senior creative executive who will be announced soon.

Activision Blizzard Studios’ first production will be “Skylanders™ Academy,” an animated TV series based on the Skylanders game. Currently in production under the supervision of showrunner Eric Rogers (“Futurama”), “Skylanders™ Academy” will feature the voices of Justin Long (“Alvin and the Chipmunks,” “Ask Me Anything”) as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale (“Phineas and Ferb,” “High School Musical”) as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”) as Eruptor and Norm Macdonald (“Saturday Night Live”) as Glumshanks. Additional voice talent includes Harland Williams and Richard Horvitz.

Another near-term initiative for Activision Blizzard Studios will be the development of a cinematic universe based on the Call of Duty franchise. Activision Blizzard Studios envisions a series of Call of Duty feature films as well as the possibility of television adaptations.