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Queer Graphic Novel The Witch Boy Is Getting a Netflix Musical Movie
Molly Knox Ostertag's inclusive book series is getting a musical adaption from director Minkyu Lee!
Netflix just keeps on blessing us with more and more queer content these days! (We're totally not complaining!)
The streaming giant announced earlier today that author and cartoonist Molly Knox Ostertag's beloved young adult graphic novel The Witch Boy is being adapted into an animated, feature-length film — and we're excited AF to see it!
\u201cIn production now!! THE WITCH BOY. In a world where girls are born witches and boys shapeshifters, a young boy named Aster discovers his own witch abilities and embarks on an adventure to defeat a mysterious evil. Oh, and original music from HAIM!!\u201d— Most (@Most) 1611838806
Netflix released beautiful concept art as a teaser to give fans a taste of what's to come!
With a screenplay written by American Gods' Maria Melnik, direction by Oscar nominee Minkyu Lee, and new original music from our fave musical sister trio Haim, The Witch Boy tells the fantastical story of a young boy named Aster who lives in a world where societal expectations of gender inform the way people use magic.
"In a secret, magical community where girls are born to be witches and boys grow into shapeshifters, Aster is surprised to discover his emerging and extraordinary witch powers," Netflix's official description of the film reads. "When a mysterious danger threatens his world, Aster must embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind himself, his powers, and everything that is magical."
\u201cEverything in my career is about making stories for queer people, especially kids and teens...I\u2019m so PROUD of you guys and I promise to always fight for you and listen and learn from you! You deserve the world \u2764\ufe0f\ud83e\udde1\ud83d\udc9b\ud83d\udc9a\ud83d\udc99\ud83d\udc9c\u201d— Molly Knox Ostertag - Updates (@Molly Knox Ostertag - Updates) 1596996821
The series is notable for the way it explores gender and identity, and as fans point on, even features queer characters!
\u201cSO excited for this oh my goshhh, time to get out my copy of The Witch Boy!! \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\udc96 I hope this ushers in more queer animated musicals, I want everyone to see more of them and work on one myself!\u201d— \ud83c\udf43 Alyssa P. Garoogie \ud83e\udd8a (@\ud83c\udf43 Alyssa P. Garoogie \ud83e\udd8a) 1611856760
\u201cANOTHER comic picked up by Netflix. It\u2019s so cool to see queer stories/characters/creators taking over. @MollyOstertag is awesome and so many people are gunna love The Witch Boy \u2728\u201d— Chloe Green (@Chloe Green) 1611854000
"It has been a life-long dream of mine to create an animated film that pushes the medium forward, both in content and form," Lee said in a statement about adapting Ostertag's The Witch Boy project for a full-length musical flick. "The connection between this dream, my experiences, and Aster and Juniper's story is what draws me to this film every day. I am grateful to be creating this with the wonderful team at Netflix. My hope is that this film, by celebrating queerness and "otherness," will come to audiences around the world as something truly special."
No release date has officially been announced yet, but we can't wait to see how queer representation in animated films progresses to even greater heights by the time it does drop on Netflix!
Raffy is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, video creator, critic, and digital director of Out Magazine. The former editor-in-chief of PRIDE, he is also a die-hard Rihanna and Sailor Moon stan who loves to write about all things pop culture, entertainment, and identities. Follow him on Instagram (@raffyermac) and Twitter (@byraffy), and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
Raffy is a Los Angeles-based writer, editor, video creator, critic, and digital director of Out Magazine. The former editor-in-chief of PRIDE, he is also a die-hard Rihanna and Sailor Moon stan who loves to write about all things pop culture, entertainment, and identities. Follow him on Instagram (@raffyermac) and Twitter (@byraffy), and subscribe to his YouTube channel.
