BAFTA-winning comedian Matt Lucas, Disney star Kylie Cantrall, and Australian rising talent Parker Little will headline “Zac Power,” a new animated feature based on the best-selling book series that has sold more than 3.5 million copies across Australia and New Zealand.
Produced by a powerhouse trio of studios — Flying Bark Productions (“Stranger Things: Tales from ’85,” Marvel’s “Moon Girl” and “Devil Dinosaur”), Cheeky Little Media (“Kangaroo Beach,” “Vegesaurs”), and Pixel Zoo Animation Studios (“Rainbow World,” “L.O.L. Surprise!”) — the film brings Australia’s favourite teenage superspy to the big screen for the first time.
Paramount Pictures will distribute “Zac Power” in Australia and New Zealand, while Studio 100 Film will handle international sales. Screen Australia and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) provided major production investment, with additional support from Screen NSW and Screen Queensland.
Little (“Apples Never Fall,” “The Bureau of Magical Things”) voices the titular teen agent in his first animated role. “Zac Power has been in my life for as long as I can remember,” he said. “My friends and I could never get enough of his adventures. I couldn’t be more excited to bring this character to life for a new generation, and hopefully inspire more kids to pick up the books.”
Lucas (“Little Britain,” “Paddington,” “Doctor Who”) takes on the flamboyant villain Kev the Conjuror. “It’s such a fun story, and I love the anarchic, villainous nature of Kev, and the fact that we see his origins, and get to know why he is the way he is,” Lucas said. “And like Kev, I am also a terrible magician!”
Joining them is American actor, singer, and songwriter Kylie Cantrall (“Ron’s Gone Wrong,” “Spidey and His Amazing Friends”), who voices Mica, a book-smart and by-the-rules agent. “[She is] literally all of the things I wish I was,” Cantrall said. “I read the script and I was immediately like, ‘I’m soooo in!’”
Australian screen icons Leah Purcell (“The Legend of Molly Johnson,” “Wentworth”) and David Wenham (“Lord of the Rings,” “Moulin Rouge!”) also lend their voices, alongside Ed Oxenbould (“Wildlife,” “Puberty Blues”) and comedian and broadcaster Tanya Hennessy.
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Purcell said voicing her first animated role was a full-circle moment. “Knowing the books through my grandsons made it even more enjoyable to bring this adventurous story to life,” she said.
Wenham said he enjoyed the liberation of voice acting. “Voicing animation is one of the greatest pleasures of being an actor,” he said. “The shackles are off and the only limits to a character’s creation is the actor’s imagination. It is one area of performing arts where it’s best to cut loose and be as silly or ridiculous as possible.”
The film follows Zac as he battles to maintain his status as the top teenage spy at the Government Intelligence Bureau after a new rival agent arrives. Mixing high-stakes action with tongue-in-cheek humour and themes of teamwork and individuality, “Zac Power” aims to deliver a cinematic experience for the whole family.
Brian Pritchett, VP and Managing Director of Paramount Pictures Australasia, said the studio was thrilled to join forces with Flying Bark and Cheeky Little. “Zac Power is a beloved character across Australia and New Zealand, and his enduring popularity was a key reason this opportunity immediately captured our interest,” he said. “Beyond its well-established fan base, the film’s cutting-edge animation and cinematic storytelling make it truly stand out. We’re confident ‘Zac Power’ has all the ingredients to become a successful theatrical event for family audiences.”