Shawn Levy Disney Deal Marks Major Move After Netflix Era
Filmmaker and producer Shawn Levy is preparing for a major new chapter in his career after signing an overall television deal with Disney’s 20th Television.
The agreement will bring Levy and his production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, to Disney after a long relationship with Netflix that helped produce some of the streaming platform’s biggest entertainment projects.
According to reports published on September 29, 2026, Levy and 21 Laps will begin developing and producing television projects for 20th Television in October 2027.
The move gives Disney a filmmaker with extensive experience across television, streaming and blockbuster movies while giving Levy a larger platform for developing new series.
What Is the Shawn Levy Disney Deal?
The Shawn Levy Disney deal is an overall television agreement between Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment and Disney’s 20th Television.
Under the agreement, Levy and his production company will develop and produce television projects for the studio.
The arrangement represents a significant change for Levy because 21 Laps has maintained a long-running relationship with Netflix since 2017.
That partnership produced several major projects and helped strengthen Levy’s position as one of Hollywood’s most active producers and directors.
The new Disney agreement is expected to officially begin in October 2027.
Shawn Levy Leaves a Major Netflix Chapter Behind
Levy’s Netflix years were closely tied to some of the platform’s most recognizable productions.
He served as an executive producer on all five seasons of Stranger Things and also directed multiple episodes of the hit series.
He additionally wrote and directed the 2022 science-fiction adventure The Adam Project, starring Ryan Reynolds.
His company also worked on projects such as the fantasy series Shadow and Bone.
The success of those productions helped turn 21 Laps Entertainment into a major production company within the streaming industry.
Levy’s move therefore represents more than a standard studio agreement. It marks the end of a major phase in his professional relationship with Netflix.
Stranger Things Connection Will Continue
Despite moving his television deal to Disney, Levy is not completely ending his relationship with Netflix.
He is expected to continue collaborating with creators Matt and Ross Duffer on projects connected to the Stranger Things franchise.
This means audiences may still see Levy involved with the broader Stranger Things universe even after the Disney agreement takes effect.
The arrangement demonstrates how modern Hollywood deals can allow producers to maintain involvement in existing franchises while developing new projects for another studio.
For Netflix, Levy’s continued participation in the franchise preserves an important creative connection.
For Disney, meanwhile, the deal provides access to Levy’s production experience for future television projects.
Disney and Shawn Levy Already Have a Long History
The new agreement may appear to be a major studio switch, but Levy already has a long history with Disney and companies that are now part of Disney.
Early in his career, he directed episodes of Disney Channel television shows.
He later worked on popular films including Cheaper by the Dozen and the Night at the Museum franchise, which were associated with studios that eventually became part of Disney.
More recently, Levy strengthened his relationship with Disney through Marvel.
He co-wrote, directed and produced the 2024 Marvel blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.
That film reunited him with frequent collaborator Ryan Reynolds and became one of Levy’s most visible big-budget directing projects.
The new television agreement therefore builds on an existing creative relationship rather than starting from scratch.
Levy Has More Disney Projects Ahead
Shawn Levy already has additional projects connected to Disney’s major film brands.
He is set to direct Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Starfighter, which stars Ryan Gosling.
He is also attached to direct Marvel’s Ghost Rider, another project featuring Gosling.
These projects place Levy inside two of Disney’s most valuable entertainment franchises: Marvel and Star Wars.
The television deal with 20th Television could deepen that relationship further.
Rather than working with Disney on individual movies, Levy and 21 Laps will now have a broader development partnership focused on television.
Why Disney Wanted Shawn Levy
Levy brings experience across several types of entertainment.
He has worked on comedy, science fiction, fantasy, family films, superhero movies and streaming television.
That range can be especially useful for a company like Disney, which operates numerous entertainment brands.
Disney owns major television and film operations that serve audiences across broadcast networks, cable, streaming and theatrical releases.
A producer capable of developing projects across different genres gives the company more flexibility.
Levy also has experience working on projects with global audiences, which is increasingly important as studios compete for viewers across international streaming markets.
What 21 Laps Entertainment Brings to Disney
Levy founded 21 Laps Entertainment as a production company focused on film and television.
Over time, the company became particularly well known for genre entertainment and mainstream storytelling.
Its involvement with Stranger Things significantly raised the company’s profile.
The series became one of Netflix’s most important original franchises, creating opportunities for merchandise, live experiences and franchise extensions.
At Disney, 21 Laps could potentially develop similarly broad entertainment properties.
However, no full list of new television projects under the agreement has yet been announced.
That means audiences will likely have to wait until closer to the deal’s 2027 start date to learn more about the company’s development slate.
Why the Deal Matters for the Streaming Industry
The Shawn Levy Disney deal also reflects wider changes in Hollywood.
Streaming companies once signed producers and filmmakers to large exclusive agreements as they competed aggressively for original content.
The entertainment industry has since become more selective about spending and production.
Studios are increasingly focused on recognizable franchises, experienced producers and projects with strong audience potential.
Levy fits that strategy because he has worked successfully with major brands while also developing original entertainment.
His move from Netflix to Disney shows that competition for high-profile producers remains strong even as studios reconsider their overall content budgets.
Netflix and Disney Continue to Compete for Talent
Netflix and Disney remain two of the most influential companies in global entertainment.
Netflix built its position largely through streaming, while Disney combines traditional television, movie studios and streaming services.
Both companies compete for audiences, franchises and creative talent.
Producers such as Levy are valuable because they can develop projects capable of attracting large audiences across multiple platforms.
The movement of established creators between studios is therefore closely watched throughout the entertainment industry.
Levy’s transition is especially notable because of his long association with one of Netflix’s biggest franchises.
What the Deal Could Mean for Disney Television
20th Television produces programming for platforms and networks across Disney’s entertainment business.
Adding 21 Laps to its roster gives the studio another experienced production company capable of developing large-scale series.
Levy’s background suggests that genre programming could remain an important area of interest.
Science fiction, supernatural stories, action and adventure projects have all played major roles in his recent career.
However, the actual creative direction of his new Disney television projects will depend on what 21 Laps develops over the coming years.
Disney has not announced a complete slate tied to the agreement.
Shawn Levy’s Career Continues to Expand
Levy’s career has evolved considerably over the past two decades.
He initially became widely known for directing mainstream comedy and family films.
His later work moved increasingly toward science fiction, streaming series and large franchise productions.
Projects such as Stranger Things, The Adam Project and Deadpool & Wolverine helped establish him as a filmmaker comfortable working with both original stories and established intellectual property.
His upcoming involvement with Star Wars and Marvel continues that evolution.
The Disney deal adds television development to an already busy list of projects.
What Happens Next?
The agreement does not begin immediately.
Levy and 21 Laps are scheduled to begin their new overall television relationship with Disney in October 2027.
Until then, Levy still has existing commitments and projects connected to other companies.
More announcements regarding new Disney television projects may emerge as the start date gets closer.
Fans will also be watching for additional information about Star Wars: Starfighter, Ghost Rider and future Stranger Things projects.
Conclusion
The Shawn Levy Disney deal represents a significant shift in one of Hollywood’s most prominent producer relationships.
After years of major success with Netflix, Levy and 21 Laps Entertainment are preparing to build their next television chapter with Disney’s 20th Television.
At the same time, Levy will maintain certain connections to the Stranger Things franchise, showing that his move does not completely end his relationship with Netflix.
With major Disney film projects already underway and a broader television partnership beginning in 2027, Levy’s relationship with Disney is becoming increasingly important.
The next major question is what kinds of television series 21 Laps will create once the new agreement officially begins.
