WB said: “In recent years, animation has become a tremendously important part of our slate, and this deal with Locksmith dovetails perfectly with our forward-going plans,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group,  and Courtenay Valenti, President, Production and Development, Warner Bros.   “We love Sarah and Julie’s sensibilities and work, and look forward to working with them to create titles that will enchant today’s audiences and become classics for future generations of animation lovers.”

The deal covers the development and production of family animated features that Warner Bros. Pictures will distribute in theatres worldwide. Locksmith will collaborate closely with Allison Abbate, Executive Vice President, Warner Animation Group, to add a “fresh voice” to complement the Studio’s current animation activities. ​

​Locksmith’s first feature, “Ron’s Gone Wrong,” is currently in production in London and will be released by Walt Disney Studios. Locksmith Animation was founded in 2014 by BAFTA® Award-winning director, writer and producer Sarah Smith (“Arthur Christmas”) and acclaimed producer Julie Lockhart (Academy Award®-nominated “Shaun the Sheep Movie,” “Pirates! Band of Misfits”) together with Elisabeth Murdoch. 

Articles: 
https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/locksmith-animation-inks-multi-film-wb-deal/
https://www.awn.com/news/locksmith-animation-signs-multi-picture-deal-warner-bros-pictures
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/warner-bros-pact-elisabeth-murdoch-locksmith-animation-1203389453/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-signs-multi-film-production-deal-locksmith-animation-1251449
https://deadline.com/2019/10/warner-bros-slate-deal-elisabeth-murdoch-backed-uk-studio-locksmith-animation-1202773640/
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​Locksmith is the first dedicated high-end feature animation studio ever created in the U.K., and will focus on creating a long-term slate of CG animated films for the global marketplace.
 
Locksmith is backed as principal shareholder by Murdoch, who is investing in a personal capacity rather than as chairman of Shine Group. Double Negative, which is also investing in Locksmith, will work closely with the company as they build an animation pipeline in which Locksmith plans to make its films.
 
The company’s plans also feature an international creative board of animation writers, directors and digital experts, to be announced shortly.