The first premiere to debut at MIPJunior 2024 was The Three Musketeers, a co-production by Method Animation and Paloma Spa (both part of Mediawan’s Kids and Family unit), along with France Télévisions, Rain Kids, and ZDF. This adaptation offers a fresh and contemporary take on Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel, presenting a modernized version for today’s young audiences.
Katell France, Managing Director and Chief Content Officer of Method Animation, highlighted the studio’s strategy of reimagining classic works, noting previous successes like Robin Hood and Pirate Academy. She explained, ‘It was natural for us to adapt The Three Musketeers. Classic IPs inherently possess the elements needed for a successful series, but our challenge was to make this masterpiece relevant for today’s children. We achieved this by focusing on the values of honesty, loyalty, courage, and friendship embodied by the characters—traits that resonate across both genders. In our version, the musketeers are reimagined as girls, bringing a modern and empowering twist to the story’.
Also Marco Grifoni, CEO of Palomar, expressed pride in Paloma‘s milestone of premiering the show at MIPJunior while simultaneously unveiling The Count of Montecristo live-action series in Rome. He emphasized the enduring relevance of adapting classic literature for modern audiences, especially in today’s rapidly changing media landscape. In addition Grifoni reflected on production company’s entry into animation in 2019 as part of Mediawan Group, underscoring the importance of collaboration in establishing high-quality productions in Italy.
Meanwhile Nicole Keeb, Head of Co-Productions and Acquisitions for Children at ZDF, praised the visual appeal and charm of the series. She shared that the decision to join the project was an easy one, citing long-standing successful partnerships with Method Animation on projects like Petit Nicolas and Pinocchio. She noted, ‘The design was so convincing, and it beautifully captured the essence of the show. Modernizing classics is a recipe that works, and The Three Musketeers is no exception’.
Luca Milano, Executive Director at Rai Kids, echoed similar sentiments, expressing delight at working again with Method and Paloma. He underscored the special value of adapting classic literature into animated series, pointing out previous collaborations on works by Kipling, Verne, and Salgari. Milano stressed that such adaptations help familiarize young audiences with iconic literature while offering exciting stories of adventure, justice, and empowerment.
And Pierre Siracusa, Head of Children’s and Education at France Télévisions, praised the bold direction of the series, particularly the decision to reimagine the musketeers as female characters. He noted that while The Three Musketeers is a beloved story in France, this adaptation adds a unique twist with its focus on girl empowerment set in the 17th century. ‘We loved the twist and the blend of comedy, action, and empowerment’, he said, underscoring the timeless appeal of modernizing classic stories for new generations.
