Shawn Levy Inks Overall Deal With Disney’s 20th Television

Prolific producer and director Shawn Levy has a new TV home.

Levy and his 21 Laps Entertainment have signed a big overall deal with 20th Television, under which they’ll develop and produce new projects for the media giant’s various platforms. The deal will kick in starting in October 2027 and marks a big move for Levy and his company; he’s been based at Netflix since 2017.

“Shawn has a rare ability to tell stories that are wildly entertaining and deeply human, something he’s brought to Disney across two decades,” Disney president and chief creative officer Dana Walden said in a statement. “He moves effortlessly across genres and franchises with a remarkable sense of what captures audiences and inspires passionate fandom. He’s an incredible storyteller and a true creative partner of the highest caliber, and we are thrilled to be building this next chapter together.”

The new deal is also something of a homecoming for Levy: Some of his earliest directing credits were on Disney Channel shows The Famous Jett Jackson and So Weird.

“Years before I directed movies, I started my career directing and producing television episodes for Disney Channel, and I’ve always felt a kindred spirit in Disney and their storytelling ethos,” he said. “Having worked with Dana Walden over the years when we were both at Fox, I know her to be a formidable, smart and authentic person, not to mention a force of nature as an executive. Coupled with the amazing Debra OConnell, Disney Television has such an exciting era ahead, and I’m enthusiastic and inspired to produce the next wave of 21 Laps television series with the entire Disney team. I know from experience the passionate creative DNA of this place, and it honestly just feels like home.”

Levy also has an existing relationship with the company, having recently wrapped filming on the next Star Wars feature film, Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling. Levy also directed produced Deadpool & Wolverine for Marvel and 20th Century Studios and is reteaming with Gosling and Starfighter screenwriter Jonathan Tropper on a Ghost Rider movie.

“Along with Shawn’s remarkable body of work in film, he’s also been one of the most prolific producers in television over the past decade,” said Disney Entertainment Television chairman Debra OConnell. “We couldn’t be more proud to welcome Shawn and the incredibly talented team at 21 Laps Entertainment.”

Levy had a very fruitful tenure at Netflix, executive producing and/or directing Stranger Things (and its animated spinoff Tales From ’85), The Perfect Couple, All the Light We Cannot See and Shadow and Bone, among others.

“I will forever cherish the incredible ride 21 Laps has had with Netflix,” Levy’s statement reads. “I am deeply grateful to Ted [Sarandos], Bela [Bajaria], Jinny [Howe] and the many talented Netflix execs with whom we have worked over the years and, of course, look forward to continuing our collaboration on the Stranger Things universe from the Duffer Brothers. As 21 Laps fortuitously heads into its 21st year, I remain gratified by all the stories we’ve gotten to tell and as hungry as ever for the ones we haven’t yet told.”

Levy and 21 Laps are repped by WME and attorney Wendy Kirk of Johnson Shapiro.