ZAG is steering into new territory with the development of Carmen, a motorsport-driven entertainment franchise inspired by former Formula 1 development driver Carmen Jorda. The project marks the studio’s first move into the racing world and will include an animated feature film, an animated series, and a global licensing and consumer products program.
Jorda, who served as a development driver for Lotus and Renault and competed in GP3, Indy Lights, and the Le Mans Series, was one of only 11 women in history to join a Formula 1 team’s driver lineup. Her recent appointment as Alpine’s head of F1 Academy, where she will oversee female driver mentorship and support the team’s 2026 F1 Academy entry, underscores her ongoing advocacy for women in motorsport. Her real-world career and personal journey form the basis of the new franchise.
“Racing has shaped my life, and partnering with ZAG means turning my passion into a story that can inspire millions of young girls around the world,” Jorda says. “I want them to know they can dream big, fight hard, and take their place on the track — just like I did.”
ZAG Founder and CEO Jeremy Zag will produce alongside filmmaker Michael Gracey, whose previous work includes The Greatest Showman; producer Tyler Thompson of Cross Creek Pictures; and Andrea Puig, a former HBO Max and Netflix executive, who serves as executive producer. The team aims to build a franchise driven by resilience, aspiration, and emotional scale for global family audiences.
“Carmen’s journey is one of resilience and unwavering self-belief, even in the face of daunting limitations,” Gracey says. “Her fearlessness and ambition are the qualities of true heroes, and it’s a privilege to let her guide our narrative — and hopefully inspire a new generation.”
The story centers on Carmen, a young driver navigating a high-pressure racing universe where elevated emotional stakes shape every lap. The feature will blend character-driven storytelling with stylized racing action as its protagonist confronts fear, doubt, and competition in her pursuit of a long-held dream.
“I’m excited to join this incredible team to bring Carmen’s story to life for audiences around the world,” Thompson says. “What she has achieved in her sport is truly remarkable.”
“At ZAG, we’ve always believed in creating heroes who inspire kids to believe in themselves,” says Zag. “When I met Carmen, her journey and perseverance impressed and inspired me. I’m excited to let her personal story guide us as we imagine a new hero for tomorrow.”
The project follows ZAG’s continued expansion beyond Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, which has become one of the most successful animated franchises of the decade. The studio is also in production on the animated feature Melody, starring Katy Perry, as it grows its slate of original, globally focused properties.
