Cartuna and Campanario Entertainment are teaming up with Saúl Canelo Álvarez to develop an adult animated series inspired by the life and career of the Mexican sports icon and four-division boxing world champion. The project is currently in development and will be shopped to networks and streamers later this year.
Álvarez said, “I’m excited to see my story and my career brought to TV through this incredible medium. It will give my loyal fans a new way to follow my journey to the top of boxing, and can also bring new followers to this beautiful sport.”
Five-time Telly Award-winning writer Erick Galindo (Mexican Beverly Hills) is attached to write the series, which is inspired by Álvarez’s personal journey. As a troubled adolescent, Canelo walked into the boxing gym of Chepo and Eddy Reynoso, who set him on a path to becoming a global sports icon. The trio remains close to this day.
Cartuna SVP of Development Mike Flavin said, “There are athletes, there are superstars, and then there are national heroes. Canelo is definitely the latter of the three, we feel lucky to be able to bring his story to life and use animation to tell a story brimming with heart.”
Campanario president and co-founder Jaime Dávila commented, “Telling Latino stories that resonate with global audiences has always been at the center of Campanario’s goals. To have the opportunity to tell Canelo Álvarez’s story with the help of Erick Galindo, another one-of-a-kind Mexican and esteemed writer, is an incredible honour for us. Latino stories deserve to be told in all formats, and we’re looking forward to creating a dynamic animated world with our partners at Cartuna.”
Co-heads of Cartuna James and Adam Belfer, along with Flavin, will executive produce the project for Cartuna, with Dávila and Rico Martínez executive producing for Campanario Entertainment. Campanario is represented by CAA and Sheppard Mullin, writer Erick Galindo by A3 and Álvarez by Excel Sports Management.
Nicknamed “Canelo” (“cinnamon”) for his red hair, Álvarez began boxing in Guadalajara when he was 13 years old, going pro at age 15 in 2005. He has won world titles at junior middleweight (154 lbs.), middleweight (160 lbs.), super middleweight (168 lbs.) and light heavyweight (175 lbs.), and is presently the lineal middleweight champion and undisputed super middleweight world champion.