Jorge R. Gutiérrez’s much-anticipated animated feature I, Chihuahua has been let go by Netflix. The hugely popular multi-Emmy and Annie Award-winning director (Book of Life, Maya and the Three, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera) announced the sad news on social media this afternoon.
“Since everyone is asking, my beloved I Chihuahua is, as of now, officially dead at FAN (Feature Animation Netflix) over ‘creative differences.’” Gutiérrez wrote. “I adore the film with all my heart and absolutely plan to get it made somewhere else. Netflix is being really cool about letting me take it outside so I could not be more excited and hopeful for the future.”
I, Chihuahua was Gutierrez’s first animated feature set up at Netflix. Popular actor and comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias was attached to produce and star in the project. Written by Gutiérrez, Doug Landale and Candie Kelty Langdale, I, Chihuahua was described as the ultimate underdog tale of Chacho, a scrappy masked Luchador Chihuahua, who embarks on a hilarious journey around the world to fight for his family. After learning his beloved home is in danger, Chacho dons a Lucha Libre mask to become Luchacho and enters an international fight tournament, competing against a hilarious and eclectic mix of animal fighters from all over the world. Frequent Gutierrez collaborator Tim Yoon was also listed as producer.
Gutiérrez’s acclaimed mini-series Maya and the Tree received much acclaim on Netflix in 2022. That series won two Annie Awards upon its premiere, including the prize for Best Children’s TV/Media, leading to Gutiérrez moving to expand his relationship with the streamer, in writing, directing and producing new animated films, series and interactive projects across preschool, kids & family and adult animation. However, the animation landscape is quite different today than it was a few years ago, with streamers and studios tightening their belts and not willing to take creative risks.
Gutierrez’s other follow-up project Netflix, Kung-Fu Space Punch was also in development for some time, but the feature was also scrapped in 2022. We hope that a smart studio or streamer will adopt Gutiérrez’s chihuahua movie soon so that audiences around the world will be treated to another great work by the beloved artist in the near future.
