Netflix is officially bringing Captain Planet back—with a fresh live-action twist.
The streamer has landed the rights to develop a live-action series based on the cult classic Captain Planet and the Planeteers, the ’90s animated show that made climate activism cool before it was trending. This latest adaptation hails from an A-list team: Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions, Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way, and Warner Bros. Television.
Tara Hernandez (Mrs. Davis, Young Sheldon) is on board to write the series, reimagining the beloved environmental superhero saga for a new generation. While actor Glen Powell was previously attached to a long-gestating feature version with Appian Way, he is not involved in this iteration. However, his co-writer Jono Matt is set to produce.
DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson will executive produce for Appian Way, alongside Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Leigh London Redman for Berlanti Productions.
Originally created by media mogul Ted Turner, Captain Planet and the Planeteers followed five teens from around the globe who were given magic rings to fight environmental destruction—with each element (Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Heart) combining to summon the green-haired eco-hero, Captain Planet.
The original animated series ran for six seasons starting in 1990—first through DIC Enterprises, then Hanna-Barbera—and became a pop culture staple. Now, Netflix and Berlanti aim to breathe new life into the property as environmental issues take center stage globally.
This is the second major Warner Bros. Discovery animated property Berlanti Productions is adapting for Netflix, following their Scooby-Doo origin series currently in the works. Berlanti is also behind Netflix’s hit thriller You, and is expanding his slate with projects across NBC (Brilliant Minds), Apple TV+ (Stillwater, Dilettante), Hulu (Foster Dade), and the CW (All American).
Appian Way, meanwhile, continues its long-standing commitment to environmental storytelling. Its doc slate includes Virunga, The Path of the Panther, Ice On Fire, and the animated kids’ series Ozi: Voice of the Forest.
No word yet on casting or release dates, but one thing’s clear—Captain Planet is making a comeback, and this time, he’s streaming.