Creation Entertainment Media and Magic Frame Animation today announced that they will adapt Georges Alexander Vagan’s Christmas-set book series Paul Martin and the Magic Magnifying Glass for the screen. The two production companies will co-develop and produce the fantasy adventure tales into a film series.
The project will be the start of an international IP franchise, turning the literary Christmas universe into a series of films for family audiences and presenting new licensing opportunities for partners around the world. Per the studios: The story will take the audience across many wintery locations with highly detailed animated environments, and follow compelling and diverse characters.
The first film is expected for release in 2025 and the scripts are currently in development.
“This magical book series is much loved already by families and children across the world and lends itself perfectly to a wintery adventure to be told through animation,” said Lidia Chirita, Head of Sales & Co-Productions at Magic Frame Animation. “There is a beautiful depth to the universe Georges has created with Paul Martin and we are looking forward to telling it to more audiences and using our signature animation styles and experienced creatives to paint a Christmas world for the screen.”
The family fantasy and adventure follows the life of the protagonist Paul Martin, along his adventures in a wonderful world of Christmas and snow. Across books, e-books and audio books, the series has sold more than 100,000 copies around the world. Originally written in French, the books and audio books are available in a variety of languages including English, German, Italian and Spanish. The series includes five novels, with a sixth currently being written by Vagan.
The animated film series will be based on the extended Paul Martin universe, with the first movie adapting the first book in the series: Paul Martin and the Magic Magnifying Glass. The story follows Paul, an 11-year-old boy, who lost his father at an early age and loses his faith in Christmas and Saint Nicholas at the same time. By chance, he comes across a very powerful magical artifact, the Magic Magnifying Glass, which been stolen from Saint Nicholas by his arch-enemy. Forces of evil and good start their fight for the young character’s soul.
Sefi Carmel’s Creation Entertainment Media and Magic Frame Animation are known for the No. 1 ranking Netflix animated feature Secret Magic Control Agency, which was a ratings hit in multiple territories. The partnership between the two studios is a global collaborative co-production from experienced creatives around the world working in a borderless environment, from territories including Cyprus, France, Spain and the U.K.
“I couldn’t ask for a better partnership to turn Paul Martin’s fantasy detective world into films fit for the screen,” said Vagan.
The first book, and now film, introduces Paul to the world. The second, called The Order of The Star of Bethlehem returns when Paul is grown up and has become a journalist, leading an investigation of a mysterious murder. The third, The Crown of Seven Kingdoms delves even further into the battle between light, St. Nicholas, and darkness, Paul’s enemy Arius. The fourth finds Paul nearing the end of his life, when his legacy depends on his grandson Jean-Pierre to save the world.
“The true meaning at the core of all of these stories, however, is that it is only love that can save the world.”
