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From Graphic Novel to Screen: What WME’s Deal With The Orangery Means for European IP

UUnknown

2026-02-15

9 min read

WME’s new deal with The Orangery signals a turning point: European graphic novels like Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika are now prime transmedia franchise fodder.

Hook: Why the WME Deal Matters — Fast

Pain point: Fans and industry pros are drowning in rumors about which European comics will become the next global franchise. The WME deal gives a fast, verifiable signal: a top Hollywood agency just placed a strategic bet on European transmedia IP. That changes the math for creators, producers and regional studios trying to scale comics into worldwide entertainment.

Topline: What happened and why it’s urgent

On Jan. 16, 2026, Variety reported that William Morris Endeavor (WME) signed Turin-based transmedia studio The Orangery, the owner of graphic-novel properties including the sci-fi series Traveling to Mars and the adult-leaning Sweet Paprika. The move is more than a representation deal; it’s a signal that European comics and graphic novels are now being actively packaged for global screen markets with transmedia strategies at the center.

Variety (Jan 16, 2026): "Transmedia IP Studio the Orangery, Behind Hit Graphic Novel Series ‘Traveling to Mars’ and ‘Sweet Paprika,’ Signs With WME (EXCLUSIVE)"

Why WME’s signing of The Orangery changes the European IP landscape

The immediate effect is practical: WME connects European-origin IP with U.S. studios, top showrunners, and streamer executives at scale. But the broader impact is strategic:

Packaging power: WME’s capacity to attach A-list talent, secure multi-platform bids and broker co-productions lowers friction for European IP to become high-budget series or films.
Transmedia framing: The Orangery’s stated model is IP-first and transmedia-native — meaning these properties arrive with game, podcast, merch and AR/VR plans, which increases lifetime value and investor appetite.
Validation effect: Representation by a major agency is a stamp that attracts producers, streamers and financiers who might otherwise avoid foreign IP due to perceived localization risk.

European comics as a source of global IP: context and momentum in 2026

European comics — from Franco-Belgian bandes dessinées to Italian fumetti and Spanish graphic novels — have a distinct visual and narrative language. Over the last decade, international streaming platforms and co-productions have raised demand for non-U.S. IP. Key trends shaping 2024–2026 that make this a pivotal moment:

Streaming platforms expanded European catalogs and localized originals in 2024–25, then shifted to higher-value, franchise-ready bets in 2025–26.
Global audiences proved receptive to non-English shows across genres (crime, sci-fi, adult drama) — a pattern established by hits like Lupin and Money Heist earlier in the decade.
Production incentives and pan-European co-production treaties remained strong, making it economically feasible to produce high-end sci-fi and genre shows in Europe.
Advances in AI-assisted localization and real-time dubbing in 2025–26 reduced language barriers while preserving cultural nuance when combined with human editorial oversight.

What Traveling to Mars and Sweet Paprika tell us about adaptation strategies

These two titles represent complementary adaptation pathways:

Traveling to Mars — sci-fi that begs for big production scale

Translation challenge: Sci‑fi worldbuilding must be preserved visually and thematically while making the emotional core accessible to global audiences. For Traveling to Mars, that means choosing a format that supports serialized exploration — most likely a streaming limited series or multi-season show.

Production strategy:

Package as an 8–10 episode premium series to attract streaming budgets and VFX vendors.
Secure international co-production partners to spread cost and guarantee release windows across Europe, North America and Asia.
Use practical sets plus targeted VFX to retain the graphic novel’s aesthetic while controlling budgets.

Sweet Paprika — adult tone, cross-platform storytelling

Translation challenge: Content with explicit or sensual themes faces variable regulations and platform standards across regions. Sweet Paprika’s adaptation must balance authenticity with distribution strategy — theatrical festival play, premium streaming with strict age gates, or adult-focused linear networks.

Production strategy:

Position as a prestige limited series or anthology to attract auteur directors and festival attention.
Develop alternate cuts for platform-specific standards: a more explicit director’s cut for restricted platforms, and edited versions for markets with stricter content rules.
Leverage audio-first content (companion podcast deep-dives, narrative ASMR tie-ins) and social-first short-form clips to build audience taste before a big release.

Transmedia is not optional — it’s a revenue and audience play

The Orangery’s transmedia model matters because modern IP value is less about a single film or season and more about an ecosystem: comics, novels, games, podcast spin-offs, merch, NFTs (where compliant with regional regulation) and live events. For European IP to scale globally, creators must plan these layers from day one.

Examples of viable transmedia threads:

Serialized TV adaptation (primary funnel) → companion podcast deep-dives into lore → mobile game with monetized cosmetics tied to the series' aesthetic.
Collector’s art editions and NFTs (where compliant with regional regulation) as early-access community keys for screenings or digital extras.
AR exhibitions at comics festivals (Angoulême, Lucca) and museum partnerships to keep the art front-and-center internationally.

Practical, actionable advice for creators and producers

If you’re a creator, producer, or investor with a European graphic novel IP, here are concrete steps to increase your chances of being packaged like The Orangery’s properties:

Build a production and transmedia bible: Include character arcs, season outlines, visual references, merchandising ideas and a clear monetization roadmap. Buyers want more than a single script.
Produce proof-of-concept visuals: Shoot a short scene, a mood reel or an animated teaser that demonstrates tone and design. This reduces risk for agencies and buyers.
Attach talent early: WME-style deals are often talent-led. Secure a director, showrunner or star attachment before major negotiations.
Localize smartly: Use AI tools for first-pass translation but invest in human cultural editors for dialogue, idioms and humor. Plan for both subtitled and dubbed versions; high-quality dubbing increases retention in non-English markets.
Leverage festivals and comic markets: Debut transmedia components at Angoulême, Lucca, Berlinale and Cannes to generate press and buyer interest. Festival awards translate into global attention.
Structure co-pro deals: Use European tax incentives and co-production treaties to split costs and open distribution windows. Bring a sales agent into early conversations.
Be platform-aware: Tailor pitch decks to the platform — streamers want bingeable season arcs; premium platforms may prefer weekly engagement models; film studios want contained 2-hour film structures.

How agencies like WME change the negotiation dynamics

When a major agency signs an IP studio, the packaging happens at scale: talent attachments, cross-border negotiations, and preemptive bids from streamers. For European IP holders, that means:

Better leverage to demand creative control or profit participation.
Greater access to U.S.-based showrunners who can reformat a property for global audiences without erasing its cultural DNA.
Potential to secure multi-territory deals that keep ancillary rights (games, merch) within the IP owner’s control if negotiated correctly.

Risks and pitfalls — and how to avoid them

Even with WME-level interest, pitfalls remain:

Cultural flattening: Over-globalizing a title can strip what made it distinctive. Solution: identify the story’s non-negotiable cultural elements and protect them contractually.
Over-fragmentation of rights: Selling film/TV rights without keeping transmedia or merchandising can blunt future revenue. Solution: retain or reserve key ancillary rights or secure revenue-sharing clauses.
Platform mismatch: Pitching a sexually explicit comic to a family-friendly streamer fails. Solution: map platforms to content and prepare alternate versions.
Underestimating localization costs: High-quality dubbing, reshoots for regional laws and compliance add budget. Solution: budget for localization early and negotiate distribution advances that cover these costs.

Format playbook — how to decide film vs series vs hybrid

Use this quick decision guide based on IP characteristics:

Complex worldbuilding (Traveling to Mars): Series — 8–10 eps, high VFX budget, serialized arcs for character development.
Tight, emotionally focused tales (standalone graphic novels): Film — festival-first strategy to build prestige.
Anthology-friendly or episodic comics: Anthology series or limited-season anthology blocks to attract directors and actors per episode.
Visually stylized art: Consider animation or hybrid live-action/animation formats to retain original aesthetics without astronomical VFX costs.

2026 trends to watch that will affect European IP adaptation

These are the developments shaping dealmaking and audience behavior right now:

Platform consolidation and curated slates: After a shakeout in 2024–25, streamers in 2026 are commissioning fewer but bigger, franchise-capable titles — benefiting IP-first packages like The Orangery’s.
AI-assisted development: Writers are using AI tools for early treatments and translation; buyers expect AI-enabled workflows but insist on human creative control and credits.
Hybrid release models: Weeklies are resurging for long-term engagement while limited series drops remain valuable for awards and watercooler momentum.
Regulated web3 fan economies: By 2026, tokenized fan access and digital collectibles exist but under stricter compliance — used as engagement tools rather than speculative sales.

What this means for global audiences and fandoms

For viewers, more European IP adapted at scale means richer diversity in tone, visual grammar and storytelling. Fans should expect:

Higher-fidelity adaptations that respect original art and themes.
Multiplatform storytelling that rewards deep engagement (audio, games, live events).
Localized versions that feel native rather than translated — when production teams include cultural consultants.

Conclusion: The Orangery + WME is a roadmap — not a guarantee

WME signing The Orangery on Jan. 16, 2026 is a major signal that European graphic novels are prime hunting ground for franchise opportunities. But success depends on disciplined adaptation strategies: protecting cultural specificity, packaging transmedia ecosystems, attaching the right creative talent and choosing the right format for the IP.

For creators and rights holders, the path is clear: build a transmedia-ready pitch, produce compelling proof-of-concept assets, and negotiate with an eye to retaining ancillary rights. For studios and streamers, the opportunity is to bring fresh narrative languages to global audiences without erasing their origin stories.

Actionable takeaways — a one-page checklist

Create a transmedia bible and budget localization costs early.
Produce a mood reel or short sequence to demonstrate tone and world.
Attach a director/showrunner or secure agency representation before shopping.
Plan alternate edits for platform and region-specific standards.
Use festivals and comic markets to seed buzz and attract buyers.
Reserve merch, game and audio rights or negotiate revenue share, not outright sale.

Final thought and call-to-action

WME’s deal with The Orangery is not just another agency signing — it’s a template for how European IP can be strategically elevated for the global market in 2026. If you’re a creator with a graphic novel, or an executive scouting European IP, act now: produce proof-of-concept assets, map a transmedia plan, and seek representation that understands both local nuance and global packaging.

Stay ahead: Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly briefings on European IP deals, adaptation case studies and practical toolkits. Have an IP you think should be adapted? Pitch us — we’ll flag the most promising projects to industry partners and cover their journey from page to screen.

Actionable takeaways

Create a transmedia bible and budget localization costs early.
Produce a mood reel or short sequence to demonstrate tone and world.
Attach a director/showrunner or secure agency representation before shopping.
Plan alternate edits for platform and region-specific standards.
Use festivals and comic markets to seed buzz and attract buyers.
Reserve merch, game and audio rights or negotiate revenue share, not outright sale.

Unknown

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.