There are some creators whose names become associated with one particular type of story.
Shawn Levy isn’t really one of them.
Over the years, the filmmaker and producer has moved between massive franchises, science fiction, comedy, action and family entertainment, with a career that has touched everything from “Stranger Things” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” to “Night at the Museum” and “Cheaper by the Dozen.”
Now, Levy is making Disney a much bigger part of his future.
As first reported by Deadline, Levy and his 21 Laps Entertainment have signed a multi-year overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. Under the agreement, Levy will develop and produce television series across Disney Entertainment’s portfolio of platforms and brands following more than a decade with Netflix.
No specific new series has been announced as part of the deal, which means it is far too early to know exactly what Levy and 21 Laps will ultimately create at Disney.
But for family entertainment fans, this is certainly an interesting partnership to watch.
Long before “Stranger Things” became a phenomenon, Levy had already built an extensive history with family-oriented entertainment. His credits include directing Disney Channel’s “The Famous Jett Jackson,” directing the “Night at the Museum” films and “Cheaper by the Dozen,” and producing Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.”
That makes his return to Disney television feel somewhat full circle.
Levy himself reflected on that history in announcing the agreement, noting that his career began directing and producing television episodes for Disney Channel and describing Disney’s approach to storytelling as something he has long felt connected to.
His relationship with Disney has only grown considerably larger in recent years.
Levy directed and co-wrote Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine” and is directing Lucasfilm’s upcoming “Star Wars: Starfighter,” starring Ryan Gosling. According to Deadline, he is also set to reunite with Gosling for Marvel Studios’ “Ghost Rider.”
The new 20th Television agreement takes that existing feature-film relationship and expands it directly into television development.
And that is where things become particularly interesting.
Levy has repeatedly worked with stories built around young characters, families, imaginative worlds and large-scale adventures while also proving comfortable moving between completely different genres and established franchises. Disney, meanwhile, has an enormous collection of platforms and brands that Levy and 21 Laps can potentially develop projects for under the new agreement.
That does not mean another “Night at the Museum,” a Disney Channel series or even a specifically kid-focused project is on the way. Nothing announced with the deal goes that far.
What it does mean is that a filmmaker with a considerable history in family entertainment now has a long-term television home inside Disney, while already working with some of the company’s biggest theatrical franchises.
There is another interesting element to Levy’s move as well.
His departure comes as “Stranger Things” reaches the end of its flagship run, although Levy isn’t completely leaving Hawkins behind. He says he expects to continue collaborating with Netflix on the wider “Stranger Things” universe, which currently includes the animated “Stranger Things: Tales From ’85.”
So this isn’t necessarily the closing of one creative chapter as much as the opening of another.
What that next chapter ultimately looks like at Disney remains the big question.
Maybe Levy and 21 Laps move into completely new territory. Maybe his history with family adventure eventually finds its way into something younger audiences can enjoy. Or perhaps his ability to move between original ideas and enormous franchises takes Disney television somewhere we aren’t expecting at all.
For now, there isn’t a new series to put on the calendar.
But considering Levy started part of his career at Disney Channel, went on to help create some rather memorable family adventures and is now returning with decades more experience behind him, we’re certainly curious to see what comes through the door first.
After all, Disney just gave a storyteller who knows a thing or two about museums coming alive, kids getting into trouble and journeys to galaxies far, far away a much bigger television playground.
We’ll be watching.