Skydance Media has entered into a multi-year deal with Nathan Greno (Tangled) to direct the company’s upcoming animated feature film, Powerless(working title).

Under the agreement, Greno, an animation veteran, will also consult on projects currently in development. Greno is a well-known and respected name in animation, having also served as the creative advisor on the Best Animated Feature Oscar winner Big Hero 6.

Skydance plans to release Powerless under its newly-formed animation label, formed last year to develop and produce a slate of high-end feature films and TV series in partnership with Spain’s Ilion Animation Studios.

Skydance’s first two animated features are Luck, which comes to theaters on March 19, 2021 and Split. Luck, directed by Alessandro Carloni and written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, is a comedy about the ongoing battles between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly affects our daily lives. Split, directed by Vicky Jenson and writte by Linda Woolverton, tells the story of Elian, a teenager who comes of age using her magical powers to defend her family when the opposing forces of light and darkness threaten to divide her kingdom.

The addition of Greno to the Skydance team is seen as a coup for Skydance which has been steadily growing. “We are so honored Nathan Greno decided to join the Skydance family and share his impressive talents with our new and growing animation studio,” Bill Damaschke, President of Animation and Family Entertainment said. “Nathan is well established in the animation community and we are fortunate to be able to add this prolific filmmaker to our team of talented storytellers.”

“I’m ecstatic to be joining the burgeoning team of Skydance Media’s Animation studio,” said Greno. “From my first meeting with David, Dana, and Bill, I knew Skydance was the creative home I’d been searching for. I feel very much in step with David’s vision of what an animation studio should be.”

Greno co-directed Disney’s 2010 animated hit Tangled, which grossed over $590M at the worldwide box office. He has a long history with Disney, having spent the last two decades at the studio.

Besides Tangled and Big Hero 6, he also worked on Frozen and Bolt. Greno also directed the shorts Super Rhino and Tangled Ever After. Greno is repped by Verve and attorney Rob Szymanski.