Shawn Levy, the prolific director-producer behind high-profile studio fare, has struck an overall deal with 20th Television to develop and produce new series for Disney’s platforms, the companies have announced. The agreement is due to take effect from October 2027 and marks a shift for Levy, who has been based at Netflix since 2017.
From Netflix to Disney: a strategic reshuffle
The move reunites Levy with a company that played a part in his formative TV years. He began his directing career on Disney Channel programmes including The Famous Jett Jackson and So Weird, and in a statement described the new arrangement as “honestly just feels like home.”
“Years before I directed movies, I started my career directing and producing television episodes for Disney Channel, and I’ve always felt a kindred spirit in Disney and their storytelling ethos,” Levy said.
The deal represents a notable recruitment for Disney Television at a time when studios are seeking established creative leaders who can supply tentpole series and build cross-platform audiences. Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden praised Levy’s versatility and ability to blend entertainment with emotional resonance.
“He moves effortlessly across genres and franchises with a remarkable sense of what captures audiences and inspires passionate fandom,” Walden said.
Franchise credentials and ongoing projects
Levy is not a stranger to large franchises. The director recently completed filming on the next Star Wars feature, Starfighter, which stars Ryan Gosling. He also directed and produced Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel and 20th Century Studios and is reported to be reuniting with Gosling and screenwriter Jonathan Tropper on a proposed Ghost Rider film.
Those ongoing film commitments sit alongside the new television arrangement, which will see Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment creating series for Disney’s various outlets.
- Start date: October 2027
- Company: 21 Laps Entertainment in partnership with 20th Television
- Previous home: Netflix (since 2017)
Why this matters
Overall deals — where a studio secures first-look or exclusive rights to a producer’s development slate — are a barometer of industry confidence. For Disney, securing Levy bolsters its capacity to launch high-concept series that can travel across linear, streaming and international windows. For Levy, the arrangement offers access to Disney’s intellectual property and distribution muscle, plus a return to an environment he says he knows well.
The announcement also emphasises continuity among executives: Levy referenced his past working relationship with Walden from their time at Fox, and he singled out Debra O’Connell as part of the team he looks forward to collaborating with at Disney Television.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Early TV work | Directed episodes for Disney Channel shows including The Famous Jett Jackson and So Weird |
| 2017–2027 | Based at Netflix |
| October 2027 | Overall deal with 20th Television begins |
| Recent film work | Directed Deadpool & Wolverine; filmed Starfighter starring Ryan Gosling |
The specifics of the slate — what genres, whether existing properties will be adapted, and whether projects will be earmarked for Disney+ or other Disney outlets — have not been disclosed. Nor were financial terms released publicly. Nevertheless, the pairing is a clear signal that Disney is continuing to invest in established showrunners and producers to replenish its television pipeline.
For viewers and industry watchers alike, the deal promises to deliver the sort of high-production-value television that can anchor platforms and create franchise opportunities. Given Levy’s track record straddling family-friendly films, comic-book fare and large-scale studio projects, the expectation will be for shows that aim to combine broad appeal with a recognisable creative stamp.
As the industry watches the transition over the next year, attention will fall on the first projects to emerge from 21 Laps under the Disney banner and how they sit alongside Levy’s continuing work in cinema.
