Michael B. Jordan to Star in Skydance Animation’s ‘Swapped’ Coming to Netflix in May 2026

Skydance Animation has officially confirmed the global release date for its highly anticipated feature-length animated film, "Swapped." The movie is set to premiere on Netflix on May 1, 2026, following a limited theatrical engagement in the United States that will begin on April 24, 2026. Previously known by the working title "Pookoo," the film is a key component of a multi-year exclusive agreement between Skydance Animation and Netflix. This partnership effectively shifted the studio's entire upcoming film roster from Apple TV+ to the Netflix platform, a transition that was initiated with the debut of the animated feature "Spellbound."

The project is helmed by Disney veteran Nathan Greno, who is well-regarded for his work as the co-director of the 2010 hit "Tangled," a film that grossed over $590 million worldwide. Greno joined the Skydance team in February 2018 under a long-term contract to develop, direct, and consult on various studio initiatives. The film’s lead voice roles are performed by Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple. Jordan provides the voice for Ollie, a small, sea otter-like woodland creature known as a Pookoo, while Temple voices Ivy, a majestic bird. While their characters are natural rivals in the Valley ecosystem, a mysterious event causes them to swap bodies, forcing an unlikely alliance.

The screenplay for "Swapped" was penned by John Whittington, Christian Magalhaes, and Robert Snow, based on a story they co-created with Adam Karp and Nathan Greno. The production team is led by Skydance Animation's John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews. This body-swap comedy delves into themes of empathy and shifting perspectives as the two protagonists are forced to navigate each other's lives and unfamiliar environments. To survive their journey, Ollie and Ivy must overcome their differences and work together in what is described as the adventure of a lifetime.

The supporting cast features a variety of notable voices, including Tracy Morgan as a fish named Buggle and Cedric the Entertainer as a pookoo named Kalu. The ensemble is further rounded out by Justina Machado as Callie, along with Ambika Mod and Lolly Adefope, who play Violet and Lily—the sisters of Juno Temple’s character. The film's musical landscape is crafted by composer Siddhartha Khosla. This production emphasizes the ongoing creative synergy between Skydance and Netflix, which began in earnest when the studio moved its operations from Apple TV+ in October 2023.

Skydance Animation, which was established on March 16, 2017, maintains its primary headquarters in Santa Monica, California, while also operating a significant studio in Madrid, Spain. The Madrid office was formerly Ilion Animation Studios, which Skydance acquired in April 2020. "Swapped" represents the second major animated release for the studio on Netflix in the 2026 calendar year, following the November 2024 release of "Spellbound" and preceding the scheduled launch of "Ray Gunn." Industry analysts believe that this collaboration between Skydance and Netflix is raising the bar for animation quality by merging Skydance’s high-end production capabilities with Netflix’s expansive global audience.