The long-awaitedNimonaadaptation has finally come out, and against all odds, it’s a smash hit. Languishing in development for what felt like forever, Blue Sky Studios had an eye on adapting ND Stevenson’s original webcomic for years. That is, until their parent company, 21st Century Fox, was acquired by Disney in 2019.
Not even two years afterward, the studio would be snuffed out due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with an in-progressNimonaleft to languish in copyright hell. However, the acquisition of the film by Annapurna Pictures and a distributor in the form of Netflix would revive the project.
Barely a week afterNimona’s streaming debut, it’s already racking up positive reviews left and right and incredibly positive word-of-mouth elsewhere. It’s already a strong contender for one ofNetflix’s best 2023 films, with praise being lobbed towards its unique concepts, incredible animation, and interesting subtext.
But as we enjoy the film’s success, why don’t we take a minute and re-examine why it works and how the end product under Disney’s watch may not have been so positively received?
Nimona’s Development Was Troubled
It’s easy to say thatNimonaisn’t your typical animated film. It’s very easy to say that, actually. Originally meant to be directed by Patrick Osborne and released in 2020, the film itself underwent a significant amount of development even before the Disney acquisition.
A brilliant in-depth breakdown from the Los Angeles Times showcases every step ofhowNimonawas adaptedfrom a humble web comic to a full-on animated feature. It’s worth noting that the newly-assigned directing duo of Nick Bruno and Troy Quane found themselves personally attached to the project due to its inclusive messaging.
While they would primarily crank out their directorial debut,Spies in Disguise,they couldn’t help but appreciate what the original webcomic – and the respective film adaptation – was ultimately trying to accomplish.
Related:Exclusive: Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane on Nimona’s Journey
But even after the acquisition of Blue Sky and the continued development of the film, things weren’t exactly smooth sailing under the new leadership. It’s no secret thatDisney executives were uncomfortablewith some of the content found withinNimona, not necessarily directed towards its anti-hero title character but more towards its prominent LGBTQ+ content.
Combined with an open letter addressing similar grievances from Pixar, the omission of a same-sex kiss between a pair ofNimona’scentral characters was the catalyst for more than a few uncomfortable conversations between Blue Sky and Disney. The relationship between Ballister Boldheart and Ambrosius Goldenloin is essential to the story ofNimona, and cutting out such an emotional scene between the two only furthered growing feelings of uncertainty in the film’s production.
How Nimona Succeeds Without Disney
It seemed like all was lost when Blue Sky was ultimately canned, andNimonawas subsequently canceled. That is, however, until Annapurna Pictures acquired the film.Nimonawas approximately 75% complete by the time of the shutdown, meaning there was a feasible chance it could see the light of day. Thankfully, it did. After three back-to-back flops from both Disney and Pixar, it’s also pretty hilarious to see.
Related:Exclusive: Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed Fight Persecution in Nimona
Part ofNimona’s popularity and success absolutely stems from its stark contrast to Disney’s offerings. While the House of Mouse finds itself embroiled in half-hearted commitments and doing anything possible to avoid experimentation,Nimonastands out for its outward acceptance and incorporation of its diverse elements into its story.
Many have appropriately notedNimona’s themes of persecution, acceptance, and identity, even going beyond the relationship between Goldenloin and Boldheart. The character of Nimona, in particular, in both the comic and film are also subtle acknowledgments of otherson the LGBTQ+ spectrum, with her ability to shape-shift into other forms serving as a visual metaphor for those who are gender-fluid.
Even if you disregardNimona’s subtle messaging, other aspects of the film are arguablybetter than Disney’scurrent offerings. For one thing, its art style is incredibly refreshing, combing technical elements established in Blue Sky’sPeanutsmovie with geometric character designs. This, along with melding science-fiction elements with medieval set dressing to create its colorful setting, makes for a visually-stimulating treat that falls in line more withAcross the Spider-VersethanElemental.
Compared to Blue Sky’s official last film,Spies in Disguise, the differences between it andNimonaare night and day. Whereas the former could comfortably fit in with the plethora of safe but effective family-friendly animated flicks, the latter seemed a bit too ambitious for modern-day Disney.
It’s no surprise, then, thatNimonais currently killing it on streaming, where it has the creative freedom to do as it pleases. It’s a film that clearly reaches an audience that would otherwise feel detached from other animated movies, presenting some interesting deviations away from the norm.
Nimonais ultimately the swan song of Blue Sky Studios, and frankly, it was a perfect film to end on. After fiveIce Agemovies, twoRiofilms, and a handful of standalone projects,Nimonafeels like a showcase of what the studio was truly capable of. Free from aggressive executive overreach and mass market concerns,Nimonais easily one of Netflix’s better offerings in recent years, standing alongside otherprojects likeArcanein bringing brilliant animated stories to the small screen – and away from Disney.
