EXCLUSIVE: Remember Space Jam? Well Cristiano Ronaldo, the Real Madrid soccer player, is looking to challenge Michael Jordan’s animated prowess with his own superhero cartoon.
The former Manchester United star, often known as CR7, has partnered with two companies to create his own entertainment property, Striker Force 7. He is working with graphic novel and animation producer Graphic India and mobile digital marketing and content management company VMS Communications on the animated series. The character is expected to be rolled out across animation comics, publishing, gaming and digital content. The deal was put together by sports agency Polaris Sports.
The animated series was created by Ronaldo and Sharad Devarajan, who will both be executive producers on the series along with Diego Guarderas of VMS Communications, Polaris Sports team and Jeevan J. Kang, Graphic’s EVP Creative, who is also the lead character designer.
It is the latest entertainment project for the Portuguese star, who earlier today scored a scripted drama from Facebook Watch with Memphis Beat creators Liz Garcia and Josh Harto, and Paul Lee’s recently launched independent studio, wiip.
Ronaldo said that he has always been a fan of superheroes. “In the same way football connects cultures and people around the world, I believe great animated characters and heroes can do the same and that’s why I am excited to bring together these passions of football and superheroes through this project and share it with my fans,” he added.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has inspired millions of people around the world with his dedication, work-ethic and all-around epic game playing. CR7 is a real-life superhero to a generation and this new series will bring together a global team of characters from our world and others, that are representative of the diversity of his millions of fans,” added Co-Founder of Graphic India Sharad Devarajan.
“We have been working with Cristiano & Polaris Sports for over five years and we can’t ask for better partners. Cristiano’s name is synonymous with professionalism, dedication and success. That’s the reason that he inspires millions of people around the globe. He didn’t become the most followed athlete on social media by chance, so developing an animated series of a true icon like Cristiano was a no-brainer for us,” said Diego Guarderas, COO of VMS Communications.
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