‘Iyanu’ Studio Lion Forge Adapting Hot YouTube Series ‘Lostlings’ For TV

EXCLUSIVE: Iyanu studio Lion Forge Entertainment is making a long-form TV version of YouTube YA hit Lostlings.

With more than a hint of Stranger Things, Lostlings is set in Shadowbrook, where every year a teenager mysteriously vanishes without a trace only to return exactly one year later with no memory of where they were or what happened while they were gone. When their friend Jesse becomes the latest victim – and the first ‘Lostling’ to not return after one year – a group of teens sets out to rescue him and, in doing so, free their town from its curse once and for all.

The shortform YouTube version has amassed more than 17 million views and feeds into producer TalesVision and its founder duo Tristan Tales and Luke Pounder’s approach to test new IP and concepts via social media. Lion Forge’s longform version will premiere on the TalesVision YouTube channel before becoming available on streaming and linear in its second window.

The deal with Lion Forge came after a “competitive bidding situation,” according to the studio. The TalesVision founders will pen all episodes for the first season and serve as showrunners. The series will be executive produced by Lion Forge CEO and founder David Steward II and Lion Forge President and Chief Creative Officer Stephanie Sperber.

“Tristan and Luke are amazing creators who meet the audiences where they are,” said Sperber. “They have a unique ability to create content that is high quality, super watch-able, globally appealing and spot-on for the YA audience. We are very enthusiastic about their YouTube-first model and are looking forward to exploring more IP through their ‘pocket pilot’ model.”

Lion Forge is the studio behind Iyanu, the American fantasy adventure animated series that airs on Cartoon Network and HBO Max.

Lion Forge has also recently joined forces with George R. R. Martin to adapt novella A Dozen Tough Jobs into an adult animated feature film, while setting a strategic alliance with Ed Barnieh and his new company Oware to identify and develop YA content that originates outside the U.S., and is made by and for the global majority.