By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
The makers of the new hit kids show Iyanu have announced a spin-off animated feature film will debut on August 30.
Cartoon Network, HBO Max, and Lion Forge Entertainment announced the release of Iyanu: Age of Wonders at the San Diego Comic-Con. It builds on the success of the franchise’s debut season on Cartoon Network and HBO Max, which captivated audiences with its blend of West African mythology, high-stakes adventure, and richly diverse characters.
Lion Forge Entertainment is a Black-owned entertainment studio founded in 2019 by David Steward II. With a mission to tell “Diverse Stories, Authentically Told,” the studio is known for its Academy Award-winning short Hair Love and multiple Emmy wins. It operates as part of Polarity, a media-focused holding company, and is led by President and CCO Stephanie Sperber.
Prequel Film Explores the Origins of Yorubaland’s Magic
Set 500 years before the events of the original series, Iyanu: The Age of Wonders takes viewers back to Yorubaland at the height of its magical civilization.
The film follows young warriors Dara and Ishe as they confront the threat of Meje, the embodiment of the seven deadly sins, whose emergence signals the dawn of an Age of Darkness. To prevent catastrophe, the duo must find and awaken the Divine Ones; legendary beings once tasked with maintaining the balance between light and shadow.
The voice cast features prominent African talent, including Shaffy Bello as Emi (The One Mother), Babajide Oyekunle as Joba (The First Father), Ike Ononye as Ishe, Sisan Victor-Woko as Dara, Serah Johnson as Iyanu, Okey Jude as Biyi, Samuel Kugbiyi as Toye, and Adesua Etomi-Wellington as Olori.
The film was co-written by Iyanu creator and showrunner Roye Okupe and series story editor Brandon Easton. Okupe also directed the film.
Season 2 Sneak Peek Unveiled
Fans were also treated to an early look at Iyanu Season 2, currently in production and expected to debut in 2026. The upcoming season will see Iyanu face an even greater threat as tensions rise across Yorubaland and ancient magic stirs once more.
The Iyanu franchise is based on Iyanu: Child of Wonder, the graphic novel series by Roye Okupe, published by YouNeek Studios and Dark Horse Comics. The story has been praised for its Afrofuturist vision and empowering themes rooted in Yoruba culture and heritage.
Executive producers for the Iyanu films and series include David Steward II, Stephanie Sperber, Kirsten Newlands, and Matt Heath of Lion Forge Entertainment; Erica Dupuis of Impact X Capital; Ryan Haidarian of Forefront Media Group; Doug Schwalbe of Superprod; and Roye Okupe.
Supporting Partners
Impact X Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to empowering diverse and underrepresented creators across technology, media, and entertainment. Founded by leaders including Sir Lenny Henry and Ursula Burns, the firm backs content from voices within the African diaspora.
Superprod US, part of the global SUPERPROD Group, produces award-winning animated and live-action content from studios across Europe. The group has collaborated with major platforms including Netflix, Universal Pictures, and Warner Bros. Its credits include Batwheels, Lego Friends, and Spirit Rangers.
Forefront Media Group is a film and television production company with offices in Johannesburg and Vienna. Since its founding in 2011, Forefront has produced globally resonant stories, bridging African and international perspectives through development, financing, and distribution.
Together, these companies aim to continue Iyanu’s trajectory as a landmark in African-inspired animation, bringing bold storytelling and cultural depth to global audiences.