A reimagining of the 90s family adventure ‘Free Willy’ is in the works by Mary-Margaret Kunze and Jade Halley Bartlett. The project marks the continuation of the beloved franchise, bringing new creative voices to adapt the story for today’s audience.According to THR, the production is supported by a production company founded by filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo; this project shows his recent work on family issues. The production team tapped Kunze and Bartlett, who are known for their work in films including ‘Miller’s Girl’ and ‘Icebreaker’ to bring their passion to the story.
The culture is a legacy of the original film
The first movie ‘Free Willy’, released in 1993, became a worldwide hit about an orphan who befriends a captive orca. It grossed $153.7 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, proving that the concept was commercially viable. The film’s theme song reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached platinum status, expanding the franchise’s legacy beyond the movie franchise.
The reimagining seeks to honor the legacy of the original film and introduce its timeless story to today’s audience. Credit card (X).
‘Free Willy’ spawned several theatrical, television, and movie sequels. The original film, which featured an orca named Keiko, also achieved mainstream success by debunking myths about killer whales and promoting advocacy around poaching issues.
Screenwriters’ marks are their reputation
Kunze and Bartlett are creative partners working under the creative banner. In 2024, Bartlett made his debut with a film he wrote and directed, and produced Kunze. The play, which Bartlett adapted from his original play, was featured on the company’s documentary series in 2016, and Bartlett himself created the series in 2017 with other scripts. Recently, she made a commercial based on the novel by Hannah Grace.