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Disney+ and Disney Channel order a pilot for live-action ‘Last Kids On Earth’ series
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jun 30, 2:05 PM EDT

Disney+ and Disney Channel order a pilot for live-action ‘Last Kids On Earth’ series

A live-action adaptation of the animated “Last Kids On Earth” franchise, based on Max Brallier’s bestselling books, has received a pilot order from Disney+, with a companion pilot planned for Disney Channel.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

Disney has moved to develop a live-action version of “Last Kids On Earth,” granting a pilot order for the project at Disney+ and Disney Channel, according to Deadline. The series is based on Max Brallier’s bestselling book series that previously spawned the animated franchise, and it is intended to bring the story back to screens in a new format.

The project is being developed by writers and executive producers Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux, the co-creators of “Gotham Knights,” alongside Kevin Tancharoen, who has directed and produced work including “The Book of Boba Fett.” The pilot is expected to establish whether the live-action concept will be able to carry the franchise’s tone and audience appeal in a new production and distribution format.

Brallier’s books center on a world where children are forced to navigate threats and survival challenges, framing the franchise around adventure and character-driven storytelling. The move to live action suggests Disney’s interest in expanding “Last Kids On Earth” beyond animation while keeping the property’s recognizable premise intact for families and younger viewers.

The development also reflects Disney’s ongoing strategy of using established IP to supply streaming and linear programming. By placing the pilot order with both Disney+ and Disney Channel, Disney is keeping options open across its platforms, with the pilot serving as the testbed that determines whether the project earns a full series pickup and where it lands.

For audiences, the pilot order does not yet guarantee a release date or a full season commitment. It does, however, report that a production will be prioritized through the early stages of development, including script and casting work that typically follows pilot approvals. If ordered forward, the live-action effort would add to the broader slate of youth-oriented content aimed at keeping younger viewers within the Disney ecosystem.

For the creators and production teams involved, the pilot order is an opportunity to retool a known brand for a different medium. It also brings production and talent resources into a new adaptation cycle, which can include changes in budget, shooting style, and effects requirements compared with animation.

The next step for the “Last Kids On Earth” live-action project will be the pilot’s production and evaluation process at Disney+ and Disney Channel, after which Disney would decide whether to advance the series. Until that decision is made, the pilot order remains a development milestone rather than a confirmed series launch.

Why It Matters

  • A live-action pilot order indicates Disney is testing whether an established youth IP can translate successfully from animation to mainstream production and screens.
  • Using both Disney+ and Disney Channel for the pilot keeps distribution options open and can affect how the eventual series is scheduled and marketed.
  • The development milestone may shape future opportunities for creators and talent associated with the franchise if a full series is approved.
  • For family audiences, the move suggests continued investment in age-appropriate adventure storytelling from recognizable source material.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Disney+ and Disney Channel have both issued a pilot order for a live-action “Last Kids On Earth” series.
  • The live-action project is based on Max Brallier’s bestselling book series.
  • The project comes from Chad Fiveash and James Stoteraux, creators of “Gotham Knights,” and Kevin Tancharoen.
  • Deadline reported the pilot order on June 30, 2026.
  • A pilot order is an early development step and does not by itself confirm a full series order or release date.