Disney Branded Television Developing Original Movie "Kingston and the Magician's Lost & Found" With Executive Producer Jane Startz, Based on the Book by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi

Disney Branded Television has optioned the rights to the middle-grade book series "Kingston and the Magician's Lost & Found" and its sequel "Kingston and the Echoes of Magic" by Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi. An original movie based on the first book is currently in development with Jane Startz (Disney's "Sneakerella," "The School for Good and Evil") executive producing. The book's authors, Craig S. Phillips, Harold Hayes Jr. and Theo Gangi, will serve as co-executive producers.

In "Kingston and the Magician's Lost & Found," Kingston has just moved from the suburbs back to Echo City, Brooklyn - the last place his father was seen alive. Kingston's father was one of the world's greatest magicians until one trick went wrong, and he disappeared, somehow taking all of Echo City's magic with him. When Kingston finds a magic box his father left behind as a clue, Kingston knows there's more to his father's disappearance than meets the eye. He'll have to keep it a secret until he can restore magic to Echo City. With his cousin Veronica and childhood friend Too Tall Eddie, Kingston works to solve the clues, but one wrong move and his father might not be the only one who goes missing.

"We are thrilled to partner with Craig, Harold and Theo and bring their heartfelt story of wonder and mystery to our audience," said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. "Set against the backdrop of true magical history, this is an inspiring adventure of extraordinary moments happening in everyday situations."

Lauren Kisilevsky, senior vice president, Original Movies, Disney Branded Television, said,

"'Kingston' is an adventure that is epic and intimate, set in a world that is both mysterious and familiar - with a story and characters our audience can relate to and be awed by. The adventure, emotion and authenticity in these books align with our mission to tell stories that not only engage and entertain but remind us that there is magic all around us, even in the most unexpected places."

The book series was published this year ("Kingston and the Magician's Lost & Found" in February 2021 and "Kingston and the Echoes of Magic" in October 2021) by Penguin Random House, have garnered much critical acclaim. The series received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called it "A fast-paced, magical read set in an accessible, vibrant world where Black magicians and a mainly Black cast take center stage."

About Disney Branded Television

Disney Branded Television encompasses the creative storytellers and production teams within Disney General Entertainment Content, including Disney Television Animation, who are responsible for Disney-branded television series, movies and other programming spanning live-action, animated and unscripted formats. The group fuels The Walt Disney Company's Disney+ streaming platform and branded networks Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior with content geared toward kids, tweens, teens and families that is imaginative, aspirational and reflective of their world and experiences. Disney Branded Television has created some of the company's most iconic and award-winning programming and franchises, including Emmy(R) Award-winning hit series "Elena of Avalor," "Wizards of Waverly Place" and short-form series "Mickey Mouse"; Peabody Award-winning "Doc McStuffins"; and history-making franchise "High School Musical," spanning 15 years, as well as the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) franchise, comprising over 100 titles. In 2020, Disney Channels collectively garnered an industry-leading nine Daytime Emmys.