Victor Wembanyama, the French star of San Antonio Spurs who owns his nickname “the alien” to his unique athletic skills on the court, is venturing into new ground with “Alien Dunk,” a new animated series.
“Alien Dunk” is being produced by Philippe and Guillaume Soutter’s PGS Entertainment which is handling international licensing on the series and developing it as a franchise spanning webtoons, publishing, video games and interactive experiences.
France’s leading commercial network TF1 has already boarded the project. PGS Entertainment will be teasing at the co-production market set in Toulouse this week. The animation for the series will be produced by STIM Studio, whose credits include “The Wild Robot,” “Garfield” and “Tom & Jerry.”
Wembanyama said was “thrilled to be part of ‘Alien Dunk.’ “Seeing myself animated is an incredible experience, and it brings together two things I love: basketball and space,” he said, adding that “the most exciting part is creating a universe for kids to enjoy, filled with fun, imagination, and inspiration for young fans all over the world.”
Wembanyama, who was named NBA Rookie of the Year and holds the title of the most watched NBA video of all time, has inspired the show’s main character, Victor, who teams with his sister Eve and a bunch of misfit aliens to compete in the Starball League — an intergalactic version of basketball and the last resort to preserve peace in the universe.
Blending comedy and sci-fi, “Alien Dunk” is a sitcom-inspired format that’s meant to appeal to both sports fans and animation audiences.
To capture his presence on screen, Wembanyama has taken part in creative sessions with the production team, including a dedicated motion capture shoot to reproduce his signature moves and posture.
“Alien Dunk” was created by Rémi Guérin (“My Dad the Bounty Hunter”), Christophe Fossard and Audrey-Anne Bazard (“Creature Cases”).
A dedicated Discord server will also build a community around the brand, while TF1 will oversea the Licensing in France, including local partnerships and retail activations.
“Victor is an ‘alien’ not only for his exceptional athletic abilities but also for the positive values he embodies off the court,” said Soutter. “These qualities make him a natural animated hero and the perfect centerpiece for ‘Alien Dunk.’ His involvement gives the series a unique authenticity, and we are genuinely excited to bring this new universe to life.”
Yann Labasque, TF1 Group’s head of youth programming, said “we are particularly excited about launching this innovative project with PGS Entertainment.”
“This series promises our young audience incredible adventures filled with action, sport, and science-fiction in a very rich and exciting universe,” Labasque said. “Victor Wembanyama, the ambassador of the series, is an iconic figure in global basketball, who embodies the values of dynamism and inspiration that we aim to convey to our TF1 viewers,” he continued.
Felix Ferrand, STIM Studio’s chief executive, said “working with someone as passionate and dedicated as Victor pushes us to surpass ourselves, and we are convinced that Alien Dunk will leave a lasting impression.”
Wembanyama is represented by Bouna Ndiaye and Jérémy Medjana at sports agency ComSport.