Canadian filmmaker Shawn Levy has signed an overall deal with Disney subsidiary 20th Television, ending his ten-year commercial relationship with streaming giant Netflix.
The contract will take effect in October 2027 and covers development and production across all distribution platforms operated by the Disney conglomerate.
Under the terms of the agreement, Levy will produce content through his production banner, 21 Laps Entertainment, expanding his creative relationship with Disney.
Scope of the Disney Agreement
The new arrangement positions 21 Laps Entertainment to supply programming to Disney streaming services as well as its traditional broadcast and cable outlets.
Levy has previously worked with various Disney units throughout his career, making the new contract a return to the studio behind his recent theatrical work.
The deal represents a major talent acquisition for Disney Entertainment as the company continues to bolster its television and streaming production pipelines.
Transition From Netflix
The announcement marks the conclusion of a highly successful decade for Levy at Netflix, where he served as an executive producer and director on the hit series Stranger Things.
Levy's move coincides with a broader shift for the franchise, following a similar announcement by series creators Matt and Ross Duffer, who signed a global agreement with Paramount.
Despite his new commitment to Disney, Levy will maintain a limited role at Netflix to supervise ongoing projects linked to the Stranger Things franchise.
These responsibilities include overseeing spinoff projects such as the animated series Tales From '85, which remains in development for the streaming platform.
Statements From Executive Leadership
In a statement regarding the deal, Levy recalled starting his career directing and producing projects for Disney Channel, noting that he has long identified with the studio's storytelling approach and feels at home returning to the company.
Levy also expressed appreciation for Netflix chief executive Ted Sarandos and chief content officer Bela Bajaria, thanking them for their support throughout their nearly decade-long commercial relationship.
Disney Entertainment chairman Dana Walden praised Levy's versatility across multiple entertainment genres and highlighted his long-standing track record of creating engaging stories for global audiences.
Walden described Levy as an extraordinary storyteller and creative partner, emphasizing his ability to build passionate fandoms across both feature films and television series.
Production History of 21 Laps Entertainment
Levy established 21 Laps Entertainment in 2005, initially focusing on successful family comedy feature films during the early 2000s.
The production company was behind hits such as Big Fat Liar, Just Married, and the Cheaper by the Dozen franchise, establishing Levy as a prominent comedy director and producer.
He subsequently directed and produced major theatrical releases including the Night at the Museum trilogy, a feature reboot of The Pink Panther, and the Marvel Studios blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.
Alongside its feature film work, 21 Laps expanded into high-profile television production, becoming one of the primary creative forces behind Netflix's flagship original programming over the past decade.
