NUNN'S THEATER HABIT

Nimona morphs into being the perfect movie for Pride month

Thu. June 22, 2023 12:00 AM
by Jerry Nunn

Nimona is ready to change the future of cartoons and is based on the bestselling graphic novel by ND Stevenson. The story follows a shapeshifting teen named Nimona who lives in a medieval world. Ballister Boldheart is a knight living in that realm who is framed for a crime he didn't commit. It's up to Nimoma to save the day.

Netflix is also saving the day by releasing this new computer-animated fantasy film in June after a long journey. The graphic novel was adapted into a film by 20th Century Animation but was halted after The Walt Disney Company face backlash for the LGBTQ+ themes and then revived by Annapurna Pictures who brought in DNEG Animation as a partner. The streaming company Netflix acquired Nimona for worldwide distribution.

Directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane, the cast features Chloe Grace Moretz, who voices Nimoona, and Ballister Boldheart is voiced by Liz Ahmed.

Stars representing the LGBTQ+ community include RuPaul Charles as Nate Knight and Indya Moore as Alamzapam Davis.

Stevenson spoke at a previous press conference about how Nimona helped find a voice for their storytelling through the characters and art. It was important to Stevenson that the character remained gender nonconforming and never sexualized. Stevenson stated, “I'm really excited for kids to be able to see themselves in that power fantasy.”

Co-directors Bruno and Quane were also at the conference where Quane gave a behind the scenes of Nimona's production, “Our entire cast has been fantastic and they stuck with us through some crazy upheavals where were making the movie than not making the movie and back to making it. It's because of the connections with the material and the characters they are playing.”

Just in time for Pride month, Nimona gives audiences a same-sex kiss and important representation depicted on the streaming platform.

Nimona will be released in select theaters on June 23, 2023, and on Netflix after 2 a.m. central time on June 30, 2023.

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