Johnny Pemberton, left, with Chris Miller and Phil Lord AP Images/Invision
The live-action/animated series stars Jason Sudeikis.
Fox is doubling down on The Last Man on Earth duo Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
The network on Tuesday announced that it has ordered the duo's live-action/animated hybrid comedy Son of Zorn to series.
The comedy centers on animated warrior Zorn (voiced by Jason Sudeikis) who, upon arriving home on Earth for the first time in 10 years, finds that reconnecting with his live-action son Alan (Johnny Pemberton, 21 Jump Street) and ex-wife Edie (Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm), while suffering through a mundane office job and the banality of suburban life, is harder than waging war in his distant mystical homeland of Zephyria. The series, set to debut during the 2016-17 season, also stars Tim Meadows (Saturday Night Live).
"This is utterly unique – there has literally never been a show like this. And, of course, it is very, very funny,” Fox Broadcasting Co. entertainment president David Madden said. “The fantastically talented duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller are yet again delivering precedent-setting television. Jason Sudeikis makes his animated character sound and feel live-action, and Cheryl, Johnny and Tim have incredible chemistry with him that crosses formats, genres and galaxies."
The series — Fox's first order for next season — is produced in house by 20th Century Fox Television, where Lord and Miller are under an overall deal. Reed Agnew and Eli Jorne (Wilfred) penned the pilot and exec produce alongside Lord, Miller and Seth Cohen (The Last Man on Earth). Agnew and Jorne will serve as showrunners. Eric Appel (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) directed the pilot presentation and serves as a co-EP.
Son of Zorn expands Lord and Miller's relationship with Sudeikis, who guest starred on Last Man on Earth.
The news comes as Fox has found critical and ratings success with Sunday sophomore comedy The Last Man on Earth. The comedy debuted midseason and was promoted to a fall launch for its current second run. Given Last Man's likely renewal, Lord and Miller will have at least two shows on the broadcast networks during the 2016-17 season. The duo, meanwhile, remain in high demand this development season and have several projects in the works, including a workplace comedy for NBC, a reboot of Greatest American Hero and time-travel entry In Time, both at Fox. Additionally, Lord and Miller set up This American Live podcast Serial for TV at Fox 21.
Furthermore, Last Man has also inspired the broadcast networks this development season to look for more high-concept fare in a bid to break through a crowded scripted landscape.
On the feature side, Lord and Miller are working on 23 Jump Street andThe Lego Movie sequel, among others.
Fox's animated lineup currently includes The Simpsons and Bob's Burgers — both already renewed for next season and beyond — as well as Family Guy.
