Netflix, Release the Blue Sky Studios Cut of Nimona – Honor the Original Vision!
Netflix, Release the Blue Sky Studios Cut of Nimona – Honor the Original Vision!
The Issue
Dear Netflix,
The 2023 release of Nimona was a beacon of queer joy, creativity, and defiance – a film that rose from the ashes after being canceled by Disney following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox and the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios in 2021. But what many fans don't know is that Blue Sky's original version was already 75% complete, featuring a raw, experimental style inspired by mid-century illustrators like Eyvind Earle and Charley Harper, with angular designs closer to ND Stevenson's graphic novel's edgy, punkish tone.
Revived by Annapurna Pictures and DNEG for your platform, the final cut is beloved, but it underwent significant changes: simplified shapeshifting mechanics, softer character designs with bigger eyes and cel-shading, a name swap from Ballister Blackheart to Boldheart, and adjustments to queer elements – making Ballister and Ambrosius' romance more explicit while toning down some moral ambiguities. Early scripts reportedly watered down LGBTQ+ aspects before a rewrite, and the Blue Sky cut may preserve bolder themes that were initially pushed back under Disney.
We, the fans, creators, and animation enthusiasts, urge you to release this unfinished Blue Sky cut – not to overshadow your version, but to complement it. Imagine it as bonus content: a director's cut, archival footage, or special feature on Netflix, highlighting the evolution of the story and honoring the hundreds of artists who lost their jobs mid-project.
Why this matters:
- Celebrate Blue Sky's Legacy: From Ice Age, to Rio, to The Peanuts Movie, Blue Sky pushed boundaries in CG animation. Their Nimona was their most ambitious, blending 2D illustrative elements with 3D for a handmade feel – a style that's now lost media.
- Amplify Queer Representation: In a time when inclusive stories face censorship, releasing the original could showcase how far we've come and inspire future queer creators.
- Give Fans the Full Picture: Leaked production materials (like this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6GExgJSSjxHHHozxl4TauMGVxI5sWVi5 reveal unique animation tests, storyboards, and scenes – from Nimona's rhino transformations to the Gloreth betrayal animatic – that differ strikingly from the final film.
Netflix, you've proven your commitment to bold, diverse storytelling with hits like Heartstopper and Arcane. Releasing the Blue Sky cut would be a win for transparency, fan engagement, and preserving a piece of animation history that was nearly erased.
Sign now to make this happen – let's bring the original Nimona to light!
Sincerely, Dylan
17
The Issue
Dear Netflix,
The 2023 release of Nimona was a beacon of queer joy, creativity, and defiance – a film that rose from the ashes after being canceled by Disney following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox and the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios in 2021. But what many fans don't know is that Blue Sky's original version was already 75% complete, featuring a raw, experimental style inspired by mid-century illustrators like Eyvind Earle and Charley Harper, with angular designs closer to ND Stevenson's graphic novel's edgy, punkish tone.
Revived by Annapurna Pictures and DNEG for your platform, the final cut is beloved, but it underwent significant changes: simplified shapeshifting mechanics, softer character designs with bigger eyes and cel-shading, a name swap from Ballister Blackheart to Boldheart, and adjustments to queer elements – making Ballister and Ambrosius' romance more explicit while toning down some moral ambiguities. Early scripts reportedly watered down LGBTQ+ aspects before a rewrite, and the Blue Sky cut may preserve bolder themes that were initially pushed back under Disney.
We, the fans, creators, and animation enthusiasts, urge you to release this unfinished Blue Sky cut – not to overshadow your version, but to complement it. Imagine it as bonus content: a director's cut, archival footage, or special feature on Netflix, highlighting the evolution of the story and honoring the hundreds of artists who lost their jobs mid-project.
Why this matters:
- Celebrate Blue Sky's Legacy: From Ice Age, to Rio, to The Peanuts Movie, Blue Sky pushed boundaries in CG animation. Their Nimona was their most ambitious, blending 2D illustrative elements with 3D for a handmade feel – a style that's now lost media.
- Amplify Queer Representation: In a time when inclusive stories face censorship, releasing the original could showcase how far we've come and inspire future queer creators.
- Give Fans the Full Picture: Leaked production materials (like this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6GExgJSSjxHHHozxl4TauMGVxI5sWVi5 reveal unique animation tests, storyboards, and scenes – from Nimona's rhino transformations to the Gloreth betrayal animatic – that differ strikingly from the final film.
Netflix, you've proven your commitment to bold, diverse storytelling with hits like Heartstopper and Arcane. Releasing the Blue Sky cut would be a win for transparency, fan engagement, and preserving a piece of animation history that was nearly erased.
Sign now to make this happen – let's bring the original Nimona to light!
Sincerely, Dylan
17
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Petition created on February 28, 2026