TV ‘Among Us’ Animated Series in the Works at CBS Studios From ‘Infinity Train’ Creator Owen Dennis

[VolcanicDynamo]

From a Variety exclusive report by Joe Otterson:

An “Among Us” animated series is in the works at CBS Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.

The studio, via CBS Eye Animation Productions, has partnered with Innersloth, the independent game studio behind “Among Us,” to develop the series. Owen Dennis will serve as creator and executive producer on the project under his overall deal with CBS Studios.

Per the official logline, the series is based on the premise of the game, namely, “Members of your crew have been replaced by an alien shapeshifter intent on causing confusion, sabotaging the ship, and killing everyone. Root out the ‘Impostor’ or fall victim to its murderous designs.”

Titmouse (“Big Mouth,” “Star Trek: Lower Decks”) will serve as the animation studio for the series. Along with Dennis, Forest Willard, Marcus Bromander, and Carl Neisser of Innersloth will also executive produce along with Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski, Antonio Canobbio, and Ben Kalina of Titmouse. No network or streamer is currently attached, but those conversations are said to be ongoing. CBS Eye Animation Productions produces in association with Innersloth. The show is covered by The Animation Guild rather than the WGA.

This is a deeply fascinating move. The premise of Among Us would definitely work as a murder mystery plot, whether they go for a comedic or a serious tone. But Owen Dennis is a pretty big get. Infinity Train was a beloved show killed too soon and buried thanks to corporate mergers and executive meddling, and Dennis is one who has pushed for animation to be diverse in tones and style. One one hand, it's excellent to see him get the keys to such a big IP, and I'd be curious to see what him and Titmouse are able to do. On the other hand, this further solidifies how Infinity Train is straight up never coming back, so the news feels bittersweet. Either way, we likely won't see the results of this for a while, as I imagine this is very early in production.

As a reminder, and as mentioned in the article, CBS Studios hired animation workers that are covered under the Animation Guild, not WGA. This is par for the course for their animated shows, and most U.S. TV animation for that matter. Thus, the current writer's strike won't impact the production of the show. So no, the workers here aren't scabs (not to mention the timeline of production not exactly being clear here). But there is a disparity in power, pay, and residuals between TAG amd WGA productions. Here's to workers getting their fair share.

 

[EvilChameleon]

What other stuff (if anything) has CBS Eye Animation Productions done? Regardless, I'm sure Owen will do a killer job with this.

 

[VolcanicDynamo]

What other stuff (if anything) has CBS Eye Animation Productions done? Regardless, I'm sure Owen will do a killer job with this.

The most relevant production Titmouse has done with CBS recently is Star Trek: Lower Decks. That being said, Titmouse is extremely prolific, doing animation work for a variety of companies for film, TV, streaming, commercials, and the like. And all of this with a variety of creative heads leading the projects. In that regard, a choice of creator is important - probably why Owen Dennis is such a get.

And for those wondering if this was just a rumor or something, Titmouse is publicly mentioning the show and the article now:

 

[VolcanicDynamo]

More official confirmation from both Innersloth and Owen Dennis himself:





Staying on-brand as always, Owen. You love to see it.

 

[Tangerine_Cookie]

Pretty sussy announcement.

 

[Krvavi Abadas]

ah yes, the game which lead to the first official Famiboards leak. incredible stuff.

hopefully they get Jerma985 to do a voice cameo, he's done animated shows before. and a couple of video games.

 

[merp]