Jem and the Holograms (2027) reboot

Jem and the Holograms is an American animated television series developed by Dreamworks Animation Television. The series will premiere during the summer 2027 and like the original 1985 animated series, in which the series is based, follows Jerrica Benton and her alter ego singer idol and her adventures (and misadventures) with Jem and the Holograms band as they go up against rival bands, cyberspace hackers, and corporate megalomaniacs. This reimagining of the 1985 animated series takes place in a 1980s inspired retro-futuristic backdrop with contemporary sensibilities.
This reboot series will seamlessly combine elements of comedy, drama, romance, action/adventure, science fantasy, musical, soap opera, surrealism, magic realism, slice of life along with a mystery subplot. Although, the series deals with common themes in young adult fiction such as friendships, family life, romantic interests, interpersonal problems, etc., this show also explores more cerebral, existential, and metaphysical themes involving identity crisis, the nature of reality and illusions, and existence itself through symbolism and metaphors. 
The animation style is a synthesis of Japanese anime, Bandes Dessinées, and American pop art that is reminiscent of the works from Roy Lichtenstein, Moebius, Atsuko Nakajima, and Leiji Matsumoto
== Synopsis ==
When a small-town girl Jerrica Benton obtains a highly advanced A.I. robot with the ability to create hyper realistic holograms, Jerrica goes from being a mild-mannered girl next door to secretly becoming the charismatic and glamorous leader of the magical, exciting, and otherworldly music group, Jem and the Holograms. As they embark on their journey of self-discovery as they go up against rival bands, cyberspace hackers, and corporate megalomaniacs. 
== Voice cast and characters ==
Paris Jackson (speaking voice/singing voice) Gracie Abrams (singing voice) as Jerrica Benton/Jem-Jerrica is a kind, mild-mannered eighteen-year-old girl who is fairly confident but suffers from crippling stage fright. However, with the aid of robotic A.I. Synergy and her Jemstar Earring, Jerrica becomes the otherworldly beautiful and charismatic electropop rock star known as Jem. Jerrica/Jem is also a multi-instrumentalist who can play the guitar, bass, piano, and theremin. Lead visual director Lesile Hung stated that Jerrica Benton's appearance and likeness is loosely inspired by Paris Jackson and Aubrey Peeples from the 2015 live action film. 
Mila Kunis as Aja Leith is Hologram's lead guitarist and Jerrica's foster sister who rebel and master of all trades who goes her own way but still wants harmony with her sisters. She is of Japanese, Chinese, and Caucasian descent. According to Larson, this version of Aja is loosely inspired by Japanese musician Ringo Sheena. Larson also stated that Aja would be an avid fan of Jimi Hendrix and model a lot of her musical inspiration from him. Hung stated that Aja's appearance and likeness is loosely based on Hayley Kiyoko from the 2015 live action film as well as the Aja's incarnation in the IDW comics. 
Zazie Beetz as Shana Elmsford- is a Hologram's drummer and Jessica's foster sister who is a sassy and eccentric fashionista who hides her shy and sensitive soul underneath her sarcastic wit. Her fashion icons are Princess Leia, Holdo, and Elaan of Troyius. She of African American and Jewish descent. Hung stated during a 2025 interview that Shana would have Lisa Bonet 80's inspired sense of style with a modern sensibility. Hung also stated that Shana's appearance and likeness is loosely based on Justin Skye and Aurora Perrineau from the 2015 live action film. 
Erika Henningsen as Kimber Benton-is the Holograms lead keytarist, biological sister Jerrica, foster sister of Aja and Shana and youngest member of the Holograms. She is motormouth party girl who's co-songwriter with Jerrica. Hung stated that the appearance and likeness of Kimber is loosely inspired by Stefanie Scott from the 2015 film. 
Stephanie Beatriz as Carmen "Raya" Alonso- is a quiet, kind, modest girl with a feisty persona simmering underneath, who will eventually become the Holograms new drummer. She is a Mexican American and an out lesbian in this Jem and the Holograms iteration. 
Synergy- Is a cute A.I. robot who speaks through music, but gradually becomes the female super A.I. that is more akin to original incarnation from Hasbro series and IDW comics. 
TBD as Rio Pacheco-he is a young reporter and love interest of Jerrica. He deeply cares about journalistic ethics and truth telling which is further complicated with a love triangle with Jerrica and her rock star alt-ego Jem. 
TBD as Phyllis "Pizzazz" Gabor-she is the lead singer of the Holograms rival band The Misfits and one of main antagonists of the series. She is a spoiled rich socialite with abrasive and unpredictable personality. Like Jerrica/Jem, this version of Pizzazz will have a split persona where she oscillates between being vapid and status/appearance obsessed elite with her more abrasive, wild, and anarchist characteristics. However, both dual personas are ruthless, domineering, manipulative, and calculating. 
TBD as Roxanne "Roxy" Pelligrini-she is lead guitarist (and later drummer) of The Misfits. She is a streetwise, tough as nails, crude right-hand woman of Pizzazz. She comes from a working poor background and suffers from dyslexia and is a high-functioning illiterate. 
TBD as Mary "Stormer" Phillips- she is the lead keytarist of The Misfits. She is shy, somewhat socially anxious, but cheerful member of the Misfits. She is kind, sweet, compassionate, down to earth and most morally conscious of the group. Like in the original Hasbro series, she is the creative force of the band and the band's youngest member. Larson stated that Stormer's personality is loosely inspired by the personality of Death from Neil Gaiman's Sandman along with Willow and Tara from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 
Sheila "Jetta" Burns-she plays the bass guitar for The Misfits, she is witty, clever, and strategic. Unlike the original cartoon and IDW comics, instead of Jetta always coming from a poor family, she has a riches to rags background where her once wealthy family became financially ruined. However, she still lies about her family's fortune and status. Like in IDW comics Jett is African British. 
Juliette Lewis as Christina Erica Marxson-is the CEO of 5x5 records who is responsible for signing both the Jem and the Holograms and The Misfits. Her characterization is inspired by Juliette Lewis performance in 2015 live action film in which the role is played the same actress. 
TBD as Eric Raymond-he is the sleezy, dubious and scheming manager for Jem and the Holograms rival band The Misfits. He is also the son of Christina Erica Marxson. 
TBD as Techrat-he is an inventor and a hacker for The Misfits who creates high-tech gadgets for their stage performance and to sabotage for their rival band Jem and the Holograms. 
== Production ==
=== Development ===
Jon M. Chu along with original Jem creator Christy Marx began development of animated series shortly after the box office failure 2015 live action film based on the Jem franchise. Chu wanted to rectify the mistakes that were made from 2015 film and offer an alternative vision of what his version of Jem would have been. Chu and Marx wrote a series bibles for the Jem reimagining that Marx refer to as the "New Testament" with Hope Larson as she would serve as the co-creator and new showrunner for the project. Sophie Campbell, Kelly Thompson, and Peach Mork also serves consulting producers during early stages of productions and later became part of the writing staff. Chu and Marx will serve as executive producers of this series.
The reboot is said to combine elements from original Hasbro cartoon, the IDW Jem comics and 2015 live action film, as a way to make series as universal as possible according to Chu. After the release of Greta Gerwig's Barbie, Chu and Marx was inspired to make the upcoming Jem reboot more ambitious as they wanted to blur the lines between pop art and high art the same way Gerwig did with the Barbie film. Showrunner Hope Larson stated in a 2026 interview that Jem reboot would be a "trojan horse" for existential, spiritual, technological themes, while still being aimed at kids and adults alike. 
Chu emphasized that the series would feature more diverse characters in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation. Larson also confirmed in her Instagram that Jerrica Benton/Jem would be pansexual and that her sister Kimber will be bisexual. Other characters such as Pizzazz, Roxy, Stormer, Minx, Rapture, Raya, Zipper, Ashley would also be pansexual/queer characters, along with Blaze who will be one among several other trans characters in this series. A 2027 interview with Chu and Marx confirmed that Riot would be a genderqueer and gender fluid character and goes by he/him, she/her, they/them pronouns. 
The series would also be more racially diverse than the original series as Rio is Latino, Shana is of African American and Jewish descent, Raya is an indigenous Mexican ethnicity, Stormer is of Jewish and Middle Eastern descent, Jetta is Black British, and Minx is of Indian and German descent. 
Inspirations 
Chu stated during 2026 San Diego Comic-Con that this version of Jem and the Holograms would combine elements of the original Hasbro cartoon, IDW Jem comics and the live action 2015 film. The series said to feature episodes that would serve as spiritual sequels to fan-favorite episodes of the original Jem series. Chu also stated that would draw inspirations from Greta Gerwig's Barbie as the series would explore existential, feminist, and humanist themes. Chu said he was the fan of Scott Pilgrim (both film and the comics) and stated that the series kinetic energy and humor will be inspired by the aforementioned franchise. Showrunner Larson stated during Jem convention that the new Jem series would draw inspiration from the progressive science fantasy of Steven Universe. Larson also cited Belle anime film, Ai Yazawa's Nana (manga), Akiko Higashimura's Princess Jellyfish, Jennifer Lee's Frozen, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, DreamWorks She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Cory Doctorow's In Real Life and John Allison's Giant Days as inspirations. 
Larson claimed that the soap opera and glamourized elements would draw inspiration from Gossip Girl television series. Chu stated that series would serve as a sci-fi musical odyssey that is reminiscent to Daft Punk Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem. The musical elements will also be inspired by Scott Pilgrim and Broadway Musicals. Larson also said that the series will have an anti-establishment and anarchist edge that will take inspiration from Jamie Hewlett and Alan C. Martin's Tank Girl. During The Wrap interview, Larson states that the truly outrageous elements of this Jem iteration will be influenced by surrealism and magic realism. She also cited Fooly Cooly, Revolutionary Girl Utena, Mawaru Penguindrum as indirect inspirations. 
In an Empire interview, Larson proclaimed that the new Jem series will also contain existential themes of identity and existence will draw inspiration and influence from Grete Gerwig, Amy Heckerling, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman films. Other filmmakers such as John Hughes, Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, and Edgar Wright were also inspirations for the style and tone of the series. She also cited sci-fi novelists such as Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeleine L'Engle, Stanisław Lem, Gordon R. Dickson and philosophical novelist such as Iris Murdoch as influences on the series themes and stories. Co-executive producer and writer Casey Nowak says this Jem reboot seamlessly combine elements of gossip, love triangles, glamorous lifestyles and everyday problems with cerebral and high-concept sci-fi themes. 
Larson states that this Jem iteration would have more emphasize on the sci-fi elements than the original series while still keeping the story grounded in character relationships and contemporary issues. She stated during a Jem convention that the reboot would be a mix of different genres including comedy, drama, action/adventure, science fantasy, musical, soap opera, and slice of life. 
Chu stated in a 2027 interview that the series was also inspired by experimental musicals such as Yellow Submarine and Moonwalker. 
Characterization 
Larson stated that Jerrica/Jem would have dual personalities in this series as Jerrica Benton will be portrayed as mild-mannered, polite, level-headed, practical, responsible, hardworking, kind, self-conscious, and intelligent everygirl. While in contrast Jem is wide-eyed, optimistic, sweet natured, charismatic, charming, off-beat, care-free, adventurous, exuberant, easygoing, courteous, funny, spontaneous, sophisticated, mysterious, and ethereal. Larson stated that Jerrica will be portrayed as confident and assertive young woman while still suffering from crippling performance anxiety, much like her IDW counterpart, which give her more reason to creating the Jem alter-ego. Larson says that Jerrica and her alter-ego Jem would represent the conscious self and the dream self, in which Jerrica represents the conscious self while Jem represents the dream self. 
According to Larson, the Holograms will have more idiosyncratic personalities, as Aja is the rebel, Shana is the sassy fashionista, and Kimber is the party girl. However, each character will have nuanced and complex characterization beyond their assigned tropes. For instance, behind Aja's inferiority complex behind her cocky persona, Shana's shyness and sensitivity underneath her sassy exterior, Kimber's ambitions in contrast with her party girl attitude. The characterization of the Holograms will also draw inspiration from IDW comics, 2015 live action film and the original Hasbro cartoon. 
Larson also cited Anna from Frozen, Pinkie Pie from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and Six LeMeure from Blossom as inspiration of Kimber's character. She also states that Sailor Mars the Sailor Moon anime and Rainbow Dash served as influence for Aja's characterization. And Shana's persona drew inspiration from Edna "E" Mode from the Incredibles and Lisa Bonet from the 1980s. 
In December 2026, it was stated by Larson that the characterization of Pizzazz would be a cross between Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl television series and Wendy O. Williams of the punk rock band Plasmatics. Pizzzazz, like Jerrica/Jem, would also have dual personalities, with being the vapid socialite in contrast with her rowdy, abrasive punk rock persona. 
Character Design
During Hollywood Reporter 2026 interview, character designer/storyboard artist Sachin Teng said that look of Jem and the Holograms is inspired by cyberpunk, retro garage rock, pop punk, and magical girl anime. Teng also stated that fashion, style, make up, hair styles and aesthetics would be 80s inspired but with an updated and innovative twist. Consulting producer and character designer Sophie Campbell said that Holograms would have retro-futuristic self-adhesive holographic clothing (with anti-gravity earrings) as their stage personas. Sophie also stated that the Holograms would also have their own "weird floating accessories and outfits that don't need straps and stuff" with musical instruments that function as touchable holograms. Co-lead visual director Leslie Hung stated that the Holograms will also have Aya Takano/Shu Uemura inspired makeup as part of look and style of their stage personas. 
The character design of Jem is said to be inspired by musicians such as Cyndi Lauper, Madonna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, and Hatsune Miku, but according to Chu Jem will still have her own style and not solely based on a specific musician. The appearance of this version of Jem was also inspired by anime characters such as Belle (of the anime film of the same name) and Sheryl Nome from Macross Frontier. In contrast, Jerrica's appearance will be more akin to girl next door attractiveness as opposed to the more glamorized, exotic, otherworldly and exquisite beauty of Jem. Chu proclaimed that the Holograms will also be inspired by the appearance and likeness of their feature film iterations from the live action 2015 film as well as their iterations from the original Hasbro series and IDW Jem comics. 
Chu also cited The Go-Gos, The Bangles. Perfume (Japanese band), Disney Princesses, Sailor Moon and Macross franchise as inspiration style and look of the Jem and the Holograms band. 
In contrast, the character designs of The Misfits drew stylistic inspirations from Heathers, The Runaways, Blade Runner, Mad Max, Tank Girl and Tron. During an interview at 2026 San Diego Comic-Con, Chu said that Pizzazz would be loosely based on the appearance and likeness of Kesha, Sky Ferreira and Billie Eilish as well as Peggie Sue from the anime film Belle. 
Musicians such as Prince and David Bowie were said to inspire the genderqueer character design for this version of Riot along with other musicians such as Kevin Barnes, Marc Bolan, King Princess and Harry Styles, Animated characters such as Oscar François de Jarjayes from The Rose of Versailles, Cavendish from One Piece, and Sanetoshi Watase from Mawaru Penguindrum inspired the appearance and likeness of this version of Riot.
Storyboard artists and lead visual directors Leslie Hung and Ilya Kuvshinov said that they art design would draw inspiration from sci-fi, anime, Bandes Dessinées, and American comics, and album art. 
Animation Style
Larson stated that animation style of this series will be seamless mix of anime, bandes dessinées, American pop art, and indie comics. Roy Lichtenstein was referenced as an inspiration for series pop art and soap opera-like comic book style. The art style will also be influenced by Japanese anime, bandes dessinées. and Russian/ Soviet science fiction flims. Moebius, Rumiko Takahashi, and Leiji Matsumoto were major inspirations for the visual style of series. Jen Wang, Faith Erin Hicks, Amy Reeder were also cited as visuals inspirations. 
Backdrop 
This version of Jem will take place in a not-so-distant retro futuristic Los Angeles which will be a cohesive combination of past, present, and future. While both the original 1985 animated series and the IDW Jem comics took place during present day, this new Jem iteration will take place in the future. Larson explains that they wanted to avoid being constrained by certain timeline while still being in the "here and now". Larson proclaimed the Jem incarnation would be using the futuristic backdrop the same way sci-fi writers utilize the future to talk about the present day as she said "it's not really about future, it's about the here and now". 
Spike Jonze's Her, Maniac, and Back to the Future part II is cited by Larson as visual inspiration for the retro futuristic Los Angeles. The retro-futuristic backdrop will integrate present day sensibilities of the 2020s in order to utilize current fashion trends, technology, and modern issues through an alternate lens. 
Themes 
Larson have stated that Jem series would have coming of age themes and revolve around stories of young adulthood through the larger-than-life lens of fashion, glitter, fame, and science fantasy. She also states that that series will have more emphasize on the science fantasy genre than in the original series along with high concept and cerebral ideas that goes along with it. The series would be designed to have multi-layers in which themes of family, friendship, romance and other interpersonal relationships are front and center while more philosophical themes are the undercurrent that eventually comes to the surface. Larson proclaimed that series will be as if David Lynch and Greta Gerwig decided to reboot the Jem franchise. 
According to Larson, fame, celebrity culture, mainstream journalism, social media, commercialism and the music industry would be satirized in the series while still maintaining a heartfelt sincerity. 
=== Music ===
Music composers Lin-Manuel Miranda, Glen Ballard, and Germaine Franco said in a 2026 interview from Variety, that the Jem reimagining is said to be a throwback to the 1980's while simultaneously being modern and fashion forward. Miranda stated that the music of Jem reboot would draw inspirations from both mainstream and indie/alternative music. Influences for the songs and music of this Jem incarnation would range of diverse sources from Broadway musicals to 1980's MTV music videos to Disney films to iconic mainstream and indie record labels such as Roadrunner Records, Virgin Records, Motown,4AD, Rough Trade.
Miranda stated in Deadline interview that he wanted "each band to have an eclectic yet seamless mix of different musical styles and genres while each band retains their own unique sound and style".  The music of the Jem and the Holograms was inspired and influenced by the music of Daft Punk, The Go-Go's, The Bangles, Perfume (Japanese band), Queen, Guns N' Roses, The Strokes, Journey (band), The Beatles, Duran Duran, The B-52s, HAIM, Phoenix (band), Yeah Yeah Yeahs, CHVRCHES, Djo and Bibio. Miranda also compared Jem's musical and singing styles to Taylor Swift, Janelle Monáe, Grimes, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Idina Menzel, Phillipa Soo, Ann-Margret, Chela, Olivia Rodrigo, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Wilde, Chrissie Hynde, Kate Bush, St. Vincent, Freddie Mercury, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. The music of Jem and the Holograms is generally a synthesis of pop rock, synth-pop, electronica, alternative dance, post-punk and new wave while also occasionally experimenting with musical elements and genres such as Hard Rock, Rock and roll, R&B, Funk, Jazz Fusion, and Psychedelia. Ballard also said that Jerrica would have own distinct singing voice inspired by Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones.
Jem's rival band the Misfits, according to Franco, is generally punk rock and dark wave with elements of dream pop, hard rock and occasionally heavy metal, trip hop and R&B. Musicians and bands such as Blondie, The Runaways, Sleigh Bells, The Slits, Vixen, Iggy Pop, Ramones, The Clash, Plasmatics, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Velvet Underground, Rush (band), Nine Inch Nails, Gorillaz, Warpaint, Charli XCX, CHROMATICS, Cocteau Twins, Marian Hill, The Pretty Reckless, Billie Eilish, Grimes, and Sky Ferreira will also be an influence of the music of the Misfits. In this series, some of the songs from the Misfits will have elements of rap rock with Pizzazz oscillating between singing vocals and rap verses. During a 2025 interview, Franco stated that Pizzazz rap style will be inspired by Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, KE$HA, M.I.A, Kitty (rapper), K. Flay, Whitney Peyton, Nicki Minaj, Tyler, The Creator, Ski Mask the Slump God, Schoolly D., OutKast, and MF Doom. 
The Stingers are also will make an appearance to series, and their musical style is said to a mix of Prince-inspired psychedelic R&B/soul with David Bowie-inspired avant-garde, experimental art rock. Other musicians and bands that influenced the music of this version of The Stingers include Elvis Costello, Eurythmics, Beck, King Princess, Motopony (band), Neon Indian, of Montreal, Vampire Weekend, Spoon (band), The Police (band), Harry Styles, Bruno Mars, Monsune, Bee Gees, Todd Rundgren, Grace Jones and Gnarls Barkley. 
Miranda and Franco claimed that overall sound of the songs and music of this Jem and the Holograms reboot will have 80's vibes yet with a modern and avant-garde twist.
=== Dance Choreography ===
Dance choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui served as a consultant for the animators to help develop the dance choreography for Jem. Jem's dance choreography is said to be influenced by Ann-Margret, Judy Garland, Freddie Mercury, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Madonna, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Beyoncé, Janelle Monae, James Brown, Molly Ringwald, Katy Perry, The Go-Gos, HAIM, Kate Bush, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Perfume (Japanese band), BoA, and Hwang Ye-ji.
The character of Danse is very inspired by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's choreography and serves as Jerrica/Jem's choreographer in universe. This version of Danse is also a trained ballerina. ￼
Category:Jem & The Holograms
Category:American animated television series
Category:DreamWorks Animation