As exclusively reported by Deadline, the follow-up film sees Lepeniotis not only directing but also writing the screenplay, promising a fresh adventure for fans of the original. The production is a collaborative effort between SC Films International, SiXiTZ Studios, and Magieva, marking the first project under a newly inked multi-picture, multi-year deal between the three entities.
The original Gnome Alone enjoyed considerable success, securing theatrical releases worldwide and finding a North American home on Netflix. Lepeniotis's previous directorial effort, The Nut Job, also proved a global hit, grossing $120 million worldwide, setting a high bar for the animated sequel.
Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes will whisk protagonists Chloe and Liam on a perilous journey through time. Joined by their gnome allies Quicksilver, Zook, and Zamfeer, their mission is to save mankind from the brink, caught between warring families and the ominous Troggs.
The production is a truly international affair, split between studios in California and Toronto. Simon Crowe and Matthew Joynes are producing for SC Films, alongside Lepeniotis, Kevin Hicks, Nathaniel Hunter, and Euan Macdonald. Macdonald, who leads SiXiTZ Studios—the animation and media studio handling the film's animation—has a distinguished background. Both he and Hunter have crafted animation pipelines for industry giants like Disney, Lucasfilm, and Apple, even earning an Emmy together in 2022 for a co-founded animation studio.
Simon Crowe expressed enthusiasm for the project, noting the original's success. "*Gnome Alone* is one of our most successful titles, and we’ve always wanted a sequel," Crowe told Deadline, adding that Lepeniotis has "built a whole new world full of great characters, fun and action." Lepeniotis himself shared his excitement for the expanded scope, stating, "This time we’re sending Chloe and the gnomes back in time. It’s the biggest canvas this world has had."
With production now underway, Gnome Alone: Game of Gnomes is poised to be a key title on SC Films' AFM slate, alongside other animated features like Girl in the Clouds and Zsazsa Zaturnnah, and live-action projects such as Breeder and Cotton Eye Joe.