Deadline: Former DreamWorks Animation Boss Chris deFaria Consulting For Netflix Animation

Story from Deadline:

Netflix‘s new feature Boss Dan Lin has tapped former DreamWorks Animation and Coyote Vs. Acme producer Chris deFaria to consult for the streamer’s animation department, we hear on very good authority.

Lin and deFaria worked together on the mega success of The Lego Movie when the duo were at Warners. Essentially, what is being sorted at Netflix is how to eventize their animation movies more. The streamer, together with Annapurna, saved the Blue Sky axed Disney LGBTQ+ movie Nimona, a casualty of the Disney-Fox merger; the pic wound up getting an Oscar nomination for Animated Feature.

Animation reports into Lin. Karen Toliver serves as VP of Animated Film.

At Warners deFaria worked as the president of Animation and Innovative Technology. He held that position for four years between 2013 and 2017, which included co-oversight of the studio’s Warner Animation Group. While at Warners, deFaria’s credits included Man of Steel, Pacific Rim and the final Harry Potter films as well as Mad Max Fury Road and Ready Player One, the latter serving as EP in addition to multi-Oscar winner Gravity. Other notable projects in which he played a key role include The Great Gatsby, 300, Edge of Tomorrow and The Matrix trilogy. He had joined Warners in 1996 as VP Physical Production.

Most recently deFaria produced the Warner Bros. Animation live-action animated hybrid Coyote vs. Acme which the studio shelved in exchange for a tax writedown much to the upset to many in the industry. Prior to Coyote vs. Acme, deFaria produced Tom & Jerry for Warner Bros, another live-action hybrid movie that went theatrical day-and-date on the HBO Max service in 2021.

deFaria served as CEO of DreamWorks Animation from 2017-2019 overseeing completion of How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.

Netflix did not return Deadline’s request for comment.