A powerhouse lineup of international animation veterans behind some of the world’s most beloved franchises has united to launch The Cartoon Coalition, a new, privately funded venture dedicated to fusing top-tier artistry with cutting-edge technology to create world-class animated films, TV series, and theme park experiences.
The initiative is led by Larry Kasanoff, producer of Mortal Kombat (1995) and founder of Threshold Animation Studios, whose projects have spanned major entertainment brands including Spider-Man, Avengers, Justice League, and Star Wars. Kasanoff will serve as CEO of the new company.
“This is really an expansion of what we’ve already been doing—taking it to a bigger level,” said Kasanoff. “We’ve been fortunate to work with amazing talent, and now we’re formalizing that collaboration to reach new heights.”
Joining Kasanoff are several key industry figures:
- Kiran Joshi, CEO and Founder of Nepal-based Incessant Rain Studios and former Disney animation supervisor on Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, will serve as Chief Animation Officer, overseeing all productions.
- Sean Catherine Derek, Emmy Award–winning writer behind Batman: The Animated Series, Spider-Man, Pac-Man, Tarzan and Jane, and multiple Mortal Kombat projects, is named Chief Creative Officer.
- Music industry legend Jimmy Ienner (Dirty Dancing, Pink Floyd The Wall), with nearly 100 gold and platinum records, steps in as Vice Chairman.
- Joel Sloss, a 30-year veteran of Microsoft and Walt Disney Studios, joins as Chief Technology Officer, leading the integration of AI and emerging tech in animation workflows.
- Veteran producer and composer Michael Lloyd (Dirty Dancing, Curb Records) becomes Chief Musical Officer, overseeing all music initiatives.
- Priyanjali Bagaria, associate producer at Threshold, will coordinate operations across India, Asia, and the Middle East.
“Ventures like ours ensure diverse, global content — which is key to the success of the industry,” said Joshi.
“Our goal is to use the latest tools to enhance artists’ work and deliver powerful stories faster than ever,” added Sloss. The Cartoon Coalition makes its official debut at the American Film Market, unveiling three original animated features in development:
- World’s Top Monster — A comedy “reality show” where iconic and new monsters compete for titles like The Grossest.
- Level Up — Famous video game characters spring to life on the eve of a global esports event, only to face an alien invasion that forces unlikely heroes to save the planet.
- Krazed for Karaoke — Jungle animals discover a karaoke machine and battle to become the jungle’s ultimate karaoke king or queen.
Kasanoff describes the venture as “a celebration of global collaboration,” blending storytelling, technology, and innovation to create the next generation of animated entertainment.
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