Wyclef Jean's Childhood Is Being Turned Into An Animated Netflix Film

Wyclef Jean's life is getting animated.

The former Fugees leader has teamed up with Netflix for a CG-animated feature film that will trace the rapper's childhood in Haiti and emigration to Brooklyn with his family at age nine. According to Deadline, the show will be co-produced by Greg Silverman's Stampede content creation company and Jean, with a script from Top Gun: Maverick writer Justin Marks.

“I grew up in extreme poverty but I was rich with imagination,” Jean told Deadline. “Now to see that imagination turn into reality with Netflix and my producing partners makes me want to tell the kids from the slums around the world to never stop dreaming.” Melissa Cobb, vp Kids and Family at Netflix, added that when Jean came to the streaming service with the "rich story idea" for an animated movie about his personal journey, including the evolution of his music from his youth in Haiti to finding his artistic voice in New York, the company was immediately on board.

"Animation is a medium that travels the globe exceptionally well and we cannot wait to share Wyclef’s unique perspective and voice with family audiences around the world," said Cobb. Marks said he was also super passionate about telling Jean's story. "When I was 17 years old, two things had a huge impact on my life: the music of Wyclef Jean and the spirit of his home country, Haiti,” Marks said. “I’ve been lucky enough to have visited Haiti and worked alongside its people several times over the years, and I’ve long wanted to tell a story about its vibrant and resilient culture.

If you’d have told Teenage Me that one day I’d get to work with Wyclef on a movie like this, I’d have never believed you. This movie is an honor and a thrill, and I’m grateful to Greg, Stampede, and Netflix for making it a reality.”

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