Christian McGuigan and Timothy Reckart Launch Sycamore Studios

Former Participant executive Christian McGuigan and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Timothy Reckart have launched Sycamore Studios, a kids and family animation studio.

Per Sycamore, the studio will focus on creating stories rooted in beauty, truth and goodness that elevate the vision of their audience.

McGuigan will serve as CEO handling company strategy, business operations, and driving the studio’s growth, and Reckart will serve as Chief Creative Officer overseeing the studio’s creative direction, guiding the development of projects and ensuring the quality and integrity of the studio’s storytelling.

The company’s first project is bringing the beloved children’s classic “Doctor Dolittle” by Hugh Lofting to life as an animated feature film. Writing partners Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen (“Paw Patrol: The Movie,” “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie”) are set to adapt the screenplay. Sycamore Studio’s project slate includes both existing IP storytelling and originals.

Filmmakers and writing partners Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen’s latest film, “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” earned the top spot at the global box office and ended up fifth-biggest animated film at the global box office in 2023.

As a duo, their films have earned over a half a billion dollars, including “Bigfoot Family” (2021), “Son of Bigfoot” (2017), “The Nut Job 2” (2017) and “Escape From Planet Earth” (2013).

Brunker came to writing and directing features with a strong background in storytelling. In his years as a story artist, he was responsible for visualizing and staging sequences in the animated films “Horton Hears a Who,” “Despicable Me,” “Ice Age 4” and “Minions.”

Barlen is a member of the Producers Guild of America, and came to features through writing and producing both television and high-end CG commercials. He was a producer and writer on “George Stromboulopoulos Tonight,” where he created sketches for celebrity guests including Will Ferrell, Michael Bolton and Miss Piggy.

“We see an immense opportunity in the growing demand for entertainment that families can trust. By crafting timeless stories beloved for both their content and their quality, we believe we can create the next great family entertainment brand,” McGuigan said. “Collaborating with Bob and Cal, proven storytellers with a track record that speaks for itself, underscores commitment to creating films that will entertain and inspire. Doctor Dolittle is a perfect starting point—a character cherished for over 100 years, now ready to captivate a whole new generation.”

Before founding Sycamore Studios, McGuigan served as the VP of global content strategy for Omnicom’s Porter Novelli. He previously served as VP at Participant Media, where he began his career developing digital strategy and leading creative for their integrated film marketing campaigns. He later helped lead Participant’s in-house agency division. He is also an Emmy-nominated producer.

“As dads, Christian and I see every day how deeply kids engage with entertainment,” said Reckart. “The characters they meet and stories they experience live on outside the film and become part of day-to-day life at home, even helping to shape a kid’s own identity. We want our kids to grow up with the highest quality entertainment we can offer, which is why Sycamore is committed to beautiful, rich animation that supports relevant and meaningful stories.”

Reckart is a writer and director whose animated short film “Head Over Heels” was nominated for an Academy Award in 2013, after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and winning grand prizes at festivals globally. Sony Pictures Animation released his debut feature film, “The Star,” an animated retelling of the Nativity story from the point of view of the animals. “The Star” was nominated for a Golden Globe for Mariah Carey’s original song, “The Star,” and won MovieGuide’s Epiphany Prize for Inspiring Movies.

Brunker and Barlen are represented by Entertainment 360 and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.