Netflix Animation recently shared a first look of stills from the upcoming limited-animated series Maya and the Three by CalArtian animator Jorge Gutiérrez (Film/Video MFA 00).
The new series follows the titular character Maya, a warrior princess character inspired by Mesoamerican mythology, as she “embarks on a quest to fulfill an ancient prophecy and save humanity from the vengeful gods of the underworld.” Maya and the Three is set to premiere on Netflix this summer.
“As a lifelong lover of fantasy films from around the world and deeply inspired by the glorious Mesoamerican art and exhibits of the Museo Nacional de Antropologia in my hometown of Mexico City, I created Maya as our own fiercely rebellious Eagle Warrior Princess,” Gutiérrez noted in The Hollywood Reporter.
According to a recent Cartoon Brew article, the series led to Gutiérrez inking an overall deal with Netflix, through which he and his production company Mexopolis will produce original animated series, films, and other projects across viewing audiences of all ages.
In a statement about the Netflix deal, Gutiérrez also thanked the Netflix Animation team, including CalArts Trustee and Vice President of Original Animation Melissa Cobb.
Gutiérrez is known as the creator of the Nickelodeon series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, which won a 2008 Annie Award for Best Character Design in an Animated Television Production, and director of The Book of Life (2014), which earned a 2015 Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character Design in an Animated Feature. In December 2014, Gutiérrez presented a special screening of The Book of Life at CalArts. Last year, he was named the recipient of Variety’s 2020 Creative Impact in Animation Award.