EXCLUSIVE: Beloved German IP Tabaluga is getting a new hybrid live action-animation movie from original co-creator Peter Maffay and Berlin-based producer Flimmer (The Magic Flute).
Maffay is one of Germany’s best known singers. The former judge on The Voice Germany has sold more than 40 million records and each of his studio albums since 1979 has charted in the top ten. Maffay first introduced Tabaluga in 1983 with the helps of children’s songwriter Rolf Zuckowski, author Gregor Rottschalk and artist Helme Heine.
The diminutive green dragon has been a kids and entertainment staple in Germany ever since and has inspired movies, music, theatre and merchandising.
The synopsis for the new untitled German-language movie reads: “Tabaluga falls to planet Earth on a meteorite and—lost among humans and their rules— unleashes a whirlwind of trouble that only a dragon-strong heart can fix.” Above is a first concept image.
The film is being lined up as contemporary story with “broad theatrical appeal” and the partners are eyeing a franchise for the material. Maffay will contribute to the music.
Screenplay comes from Viola M. Schmidt, writer on the hit German franchise The School of Magical Animals — which has taken more than $65M in Germany — and her father Mathias R. Schmidt, a veteran of children’s productions.
Filming is scheduled for winter 2026/2027. Flimmer will be at this week’s EFM to discuss the project with potential partners.
Maffay said: “With this film, we are venturing into a new narrative approach and, for the first time, consistently transferring Tabaluga into a realistic cinematic environment. The two authors have succeeded in bringing this cross-generational material from the past into the present day. The central values of the Tabaluga character remain intact and are translated into an exciting story for the big screen.”
Christopher Zwickler, Managing Director, Flimmer, added: “Viola and Mathias Schmidt have developed an imaginative screenplay with many surprises that does justice to both the iconic character and the demands of a modern feature film. The exciting and humorous story combines emotional depth with a clear narrative focus. We are now looking forward to presenting the project to broadcasters, film distributors, and funding partners and to advancing it together.”
English (US) ·