Cynthia Erivo, Ncuti Gatwa Animated Musical ‘Bad Fairies’ Adds Cast
Serrana Su-Ling Bliss, James Acaster, and Dee Bradley Baker have joined the voice cast of the upcoming animated musical Bad Fairies, according to an announcement from director Megan Nicole Dong and co-director Olivier Staphylas. The team revealed the new additions during the “Warner Bros. Pictures Animation – A New Chapter” presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this past Monday. The project, which features an original screenplay by Deborah Frances-White, centers on a subversive gang of fairies navigating their magical world.
Did You Know? Bad Fairies is the inaugural feature film produced under a first-look partnership between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation, an agreement that was first established in 2023.
Cast and Production Details
The new voice cast additions bring established talent to the film’s lead roles. Su-Ling Bliss is set to voice the character Fei, while James Acaster will provide the voice for Stickers. Dee Bradley Baker, known for his extensive history in voice acting, will voice the character Groundbeef. Production for the film is currently underway in London, with DNEG Animation serving as the digital partner.
The musical elements of the film are being handled by a creative team that includes Tony Award-winning songwriters Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss. Grammy-nominated composer Isabella “Machine” Summers is writing the film’s score and contributing to the original songs, with Ian Eisendrath serving as the executive music producer.
Expert Insight
Expert Insight: The casting choices reflect a strategic mix of stage-trained actors and veteran voice performers. By anchoring the project with names like Cynthia Erivo and Ncuti Gatwa alongside prolific voice talent such as Dee Bradley Baker, the production appears to be balancing high-profile marquee appeal with the technical demands of character animation. This strategy may help the studio establish a distinct identity for its new animation chapter as it looks toward a 2027 theatrical release.
Future Timeline for WBPA and Locksmith
Bad Fairies is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on May 21, 2027, through Warner Bros. Pictures. Following this release, the studio partnership has already slated its second collaborative project, The Lunar Chronicles, for a worldwide debut on November 3, 2028.
The creative team surrounding the production is expansive. Producer Carolyn Soper leads the team, supported by editor Sim Evan-Jones and cinematographer James C.J. Williams. Character designs are being handled by Uwe Heidschötter, while Rikke Asbjoern and Chris Garbutt serve as heads of story.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is directing Bad Fairies?
The film is being directed by Megan Nicole Dong and co-directed by Olivier Staphylas.
When will the film be released?
Bad Fairies is scheduled to debut in theaters on May 21, 2027.
What is the plot of the film?
Based on a screenplay by Deborah Frances-White, the story follows a subversive gang of fairies as they shake up their magical world.
How do you think the combination of musical theater veterans and experienced voice actors will shape the tone of this new animated franchise?