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The eagerly awaited Netflix animated series adapted from the well-loved trading card game “Magic: The Gathering” has received a notable update from writer and executive producer Terry Matalas, recognized for his work on Marvel’s “Vision Quest.” In a recent episode of “The Sackhoff Show” podcast, Matalas revealed that the series, which has been in production for quite some time, has finished writing all its scripts. Now, it’s progressing into the stages of casting and creating animatics. Matalas underscored that this project will be a CGI undertaking, as animation is considered the ideal method to visualize the diverse and expansive worlds and planes within the “Magic: The Gathering” universe, which would be excessively costly to portray in live-action television without a substantial budget.

Matalas confirmed that Netflix’s Magic: The Gathering series isn’t an anime but rather a spectacular spectacle of computer-generated imagery, expansive in its scope. He elaborated on the choice of medium, stating that given the multiple worlds and planes of existence featured in Magic: The Gathering, animation is necessary due to the high costs associated with producing such content for a television series without significant financial backing. In his opinion, animation is the most suitable means to adapt it for television, at least initially, as it presents a challenge to create.

The writer mentioned that Hasbro is part of the process behind the scenes, along with Netflix and Wizards of the Coast (creators of Dungeons & Dragons). He highlighted how all three parties have been cooperative and supportive during the project, working together to ensure a unified narrative. This collaboration has made for an exceptional experience, as everyone has been on the same page and open to ideas, making it less likely for the production to feel like it’s been overly influenced by individual notes or creative differences.

Even though Matalas has been developing the “Magic: The Gathering” series for quite some time, it may still be a while before fans can stream it on Netflix. According to Matalas, “All the episodes are penned down, but animation takes such a long time to complete. Now we’re only starting to select actors and create animatics. It does take a bit.” However, he emphasizes that animation offers certain benefits, as it enables the creative team to fine-tune the story and ensure its perfection. “One advantage of animation is that you can write the script, then they create an animatic, and when you watch it, you might think, ‘That scene isn’t working, I need to rewrite the entire scene.’ Then, they recall the actors, and we can rectify the issue. This is something that cannot be done easily in live-action unless you have a substantial budget in the hundreds of millions. That’s just part of the process, so it’s exciting.

Why Netflix’s Magic: The Gathering Animated Series Is About Chandra

Approaching a property as vast and cherished as Magic: The Gathering offers a distinct set of creative hurdles, particularly when choosing a starting point for the story. For Terry Matalas, adapting this universe for television meant immersing oneself deeply in the game’s rich history and carefully considering the most effective way to introduce its numerous characters and planes to a wide audience. This commitment to grasping the core material was crucial in crafting the series’ plotline, guaranteeing that the selected narrative thread would captivate both longtime players and novices, offering an engaging introduction to the Multiverse.

Previously when I engaged in Magic: The Gathering, there was a group of friends who were deeply passionate about it, Matalas shared. I believe that encounter might have been around 1999. To put it simply, the game is intricate with countless ways to strategize. Once you get hooked, your mind craves more of its strategic depth, leading you to desire additional decks. It’s a game for those who appreciate intellectual challenges. In Los Angeles alone, there are numerous enthusiasts who play it. They are undeniably intelligent individuals.

Matalas emphasized that there are countless stories and characters, as well as rich mythology within Magic, which significantly influenced his writing process. He admitted to immersing himself deeply in the lore, feeling overwhelmed at times by the numerous starting points. However, it was Chandra, a pyromancer character with a captivating backstory, that caught his heart. Thus, he decided to focus on one perspective initially and gradually introduce all the other characters. The challenge was to create a story that would draw fans into the desired world while also appealing to those who might not typically be interested in the genre.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but admire Chandra Nalaar, one of the most iconic and beloved Planeswalkers in the Magic: The Gathering multiverse. Known for her fiery spirit and potent fire spells, she’s a character who embodies rebelliousness, struggles with authority, and acts on impulse. Yet, beneath this surface lies a heart brimming with justice and compassion. Her story often revolves around themes of freedom, self-expression, and confronting her past.

In many ways, the narrative approach taken by Matalas in his work echoes that of Netflix’s critically acclaimed animated series Arcane. Just like Arcane successfully introduced the world of League of Legends to a wider audience by centering its initial narrative on the origins and intertwined destinies of a few central champions, such as Vi and Jinx, before gradually unveiling more of the game’s expansive universe and lore, Chandra’s journey serves as an entry point into the vast Magic: The Gathering multiverse.

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2025-05-23 12:48