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'Moonshiners' Producer Magilla Entertainment Hires New Development Chief

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 17:49 GMT by Deadline.com
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Magilla Entertainment, the boutique studio that has quietly carved out a niche in the high‑budget animation and hybrid‑genre film space, has added a heavyweight to its executive lineup. On Monday, the company announced that Kevin Duncan will assume the role of Chief Development Officer, a title that signals a new era of strategic storytelling and partnership building for the firm.

Duncan comes to Magilla with more than two decades of experience shaping genre‑heavy, audience‑centric properties. Before joining the Los Angeles‑based studio, he was a senior executive at Legendary Pictures, where he led the development of blockbuster titles such as “The Maze Runner” and “The Darkest Minds.” He previously served as Vice President of Development at Netflix’s film division, where he oversaw the green‑lighting of several high‑profile original features and cultivated a pipeline of creator‑driven projects that resonated with the platform’s diverse viewership.

In a statement released by Magilla, the studio’s co‑founder and CEO, Lila Hart, praised Duncan’s “deep understanding of both the creative and commercial engines that drive modern film.” “Kevin’s track record of spotting fresh talent and translating that into market‑winning narratives aligns perfectly with our vision,” Hart said. “His arrival strengthens our commitment to delivering high‑quality, genre‑blending experiences that captivate global audiences.”

Duncan echoed Hart’s enthusiasm in a brief interview. “I’ve always believed that the best stories come from bold, collaborative teams,” he said. “At Magilla, I’m excited to partner with our writers, artists, and producers to take bold narrative risks while staying grounded in audience insight.” He also emphasized the importance of data‑driven decision making. “We’re moving beyond intuition; we’re harnessing analytics to identify the emotional beats that resonate and the market gaps that can be filled with new voices.”

The appointment comes at a time when Magilla is on the cusp of a slate of high‑profile projects that are poised to launch across multiple platforms. The studio has already secured an exclusive partnership with a major streaming service to develop a series of original animated features, and Duncan is expected to play a pivotal role in shepherding these projects from concept to screen. Among the most anticipated titles is “The Last Unicorn,” an adaptation of the beloved fantasy classic that has been in development for years. The film’s ambitious 3D animation combined with live‑action elements will push the studio’s technical capabilities and market reach.

Another upcoming venture, the “Robotics Academy” franchise, is set to blend comedic storytelling with cutting‑edge sci‑fi action. The first film, slated for a 2026 release, will follow a group of misfit students navigating a high‑tech academy that trains the next generation of sentient machines. Duncan highlighted the project’s appeal, noting its potential to tap into the growing appetite for hybrid genres that mix humor, action, and speculative technology.

In addition to these film projects, Magilla is expanding into the short‑form market, launching a platform for “micro‑features” that can be distributed on social media and streaming networks. Duncan’s mandate includes identifying fresh talent for these projects, ensuring that the studio remains a launchpad for emerging creators.

The announcement also included news of additional hires that complement Duncan’s strategic focus. Magilla has named Maya Sullivan as Head of Original Programming, bringing her experience from HBO Max’s development team, and Thomas Gomez as Senior Producer for Animation, who will work closely with Duncan on the studio’s upcoming slate.

Duncan’s move to Magilla is part of a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where seasoned executives are gravitating toward smaller, nimble studios that offer greater creative freedom and the opportunity to shape entire franchises. In a recent interview on Variety, Duncan remarked, “The industry is changing, and I’m looking for a place where I can truly influence the creative direction from the ground up.”

The studio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion was also underscored in the announcement. Hart noted that Magilla will continue to support underrepresented voices in both development and production, a priority that Duncan shares. He added, “Our stories should reflect the breadth of human experience. That’s a guiding principle that will inform every project we green‑light.”

With Duncan’s arrival, Magilla is positioning itself to compete not just on the scale of its productions but on the sophistication of its development pipeline. By blending seasoned industry insight with a data‑driven approach to storytelling, the studio aims to secure its place as a frontrunner in the next wave of genre‑blended entertainment.

As the entertainment landscape evolves, the addition of Kevin Duncan to Magilla Entertainment’s leadership underscores the studio’s ambition to become a major creative force, delivering compelling narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide while navigating the increasingly complex distribution and consumption models that define the modern media ecosystem.