Secret Magic Control Agency

***Secret Magic Control Agency*** is an English-language Russian animated film about Hansel and Gretel, siblings from the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, as secret agents. The film released on March 18, 2021 in Russia by Sony Pictures Productions and Releasing. Netflix acquired global rights to the film and was released on March 25, 2021

## Summary

"*Hansel and Gretel of fairy tale fame — now acting as secret agents — must use magic, clever thinking and teamwork on a mission to find a missing king.*"
—Official Netflix synopsis

## Plot

Hansel and Gretel find themselves in incredible adventures in a magical forest where they meet many fairy tale characters.

In the kingdom, the King rules the state, sealed by the bonds of good will and protection from the Secret Magic Control Agency. The agency's lead spy is Gretel, who, along with other agents, faithfully monitor any illegal black magic. The Secret Magic Control Agency has control protocols ready to be activated at any moment. The headquarters of the Secret Agency of Magical Control is located in a magnificent mansion, which can only be accessed by parachutes. Every wand and potion is registered with the department, and if any black magician tries to outwit the Agency, Gretel will always be there to save and restore balance to society.

One day, the spaghetti monster outsmarted the guards at the royal dining table. The King's daily meal turns into a case of kidnapping as the monster grabs the King's table and levitates it outside the castle. The king calls for the guards, but the magic has done its work. They immediately turn to the Magic Agency for help. The agents search for the magic base that activated the black magic, but can't find it. However, they realize that this particular operation was carried out by the witch Elvira and her sabotage cupcakes and cookies sent from her flying gingerbread house.

The government was preparing for the King's birthday in two days. There will be uproar at the city if the Secret Magic Control Agency does not find the King. Agent Stepmother prepares for the high profile mission. As the leader of the spy agency she knows only the best leaders in covert intelligence must be assigned to this mission.

Gretel is assigned to investigate the crime of the century – the mysterious disappearance of the King. An already difficult case is complicated by the fact that her brother Hansel becomes her partner – a well-known fraudster who casts a shadow on the impeccable reputation of the super agent. The secret agency knows that only with Gretel's knowledge and Hansel's ingenuity can they find the King. Together, they will penetrate the eerie secrets of the magical world, fight the forces of evil and challenge a powerful Witch.

## Cast and Characters

* Nicholas Corda as Hansel, brother of Gretel, a famous fraudster who pretends to be a wizard and arranges colorful shows for everyone
	+ Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld as little Hansel, magically transformed at the Potion Room
* Sylvana Joyce as Gretel, sister of Hansel, operational agent of the Secret Magic Control Agency, charismatic leader at the agency who is strong-willed, knowledgeable but at the same time ambitious
	+ Courtney Shaw as little Gretel, magically transformed at the Potion Room who seeks advice at the Forest to reverse the potion effects
* Alyson Rosenfeld as Mermaid Queen
* Erica Schroeder as Ilvira, the witch of the Gingerbread House, whose magical kitchen of cookies and cupcakes poses a threat to the kingdom
* Marc Thompson as King/Circus Worker - ingenuous, sizable for sufficient imperiousness, takes particular liking to fine food and enjoys holidays
* Georgette Timoney as Agent Stepmother, the head of the Secret Magic Control Agency- regional, strict and reasonable
* Johanna Elmina Moise as Agent Stepdaughter, an employee of the Secret Magic Control Agency - socially popular, a little excitable, considers herself a genius
* Mike Pollock as Prime Minister
* Mary O'Brady as Baba Yaga
* Sefi Carmel as Cook Rosario
* Sara Rahman as Aelita
* Lauren Delgenio as Girl with baby
* Tyler Bunch as cupcakes, dog, cookies

## Concept

The German folklorists Brothers Grimm's collection of fairy tales compiled in *Grimm's Fairy Tales* (1812) has influenced world culture. For over two centuries, *Hansel and Gretel* has been adapted into feature films in many countries such as South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the United States.[1]

## Scriptwriting

While the original fairy tale is historically known for the different horror films adaptations, the writers took a different route and based an adaptation of the fairy tale within the genres of comedy and film family. The adaptation was created in a way to be in the template used by Brothers Grimm from their fairy tales that had both horror and comedy.*[2]*

For years the script was in development. The scriptwriters stated adapting the classic European fairy tale was complicated, since it had only two settings, a gingerbread house and a dense forest. However the opportunity was one of the script writing team's creative challenges.[3] More than 57 script variants were written. One scenario involved a father and his children living in a forest. One day, he is kidnapped by a witch, and the children go in search of him. They fall into a trap, and they have to serve an evil sorceress. At the same time, the children develop a plan to save themselves and save their father. The authors then explored the concept of the super-agent school where the troublemakers Hansel and Gretel enroll in. By the final script, the idea of a spy movie with super-agents was finalized.[4]

The scriptwriters focused on character development.*[5]* In the final version of the script, the main characters turn into children. The concept allowed them to completely transform some of the darker undertones in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale into a suitable scenario. The film emphasized the detective component, revolving the story around the story's main setting, the Secret Magic Control Agency. The scriptwriters reviewed films from the *James Bond* series, *Kingsman*, as well as Soviet Union 1968 spy film *The Diamond Arm*.[6]

The writers intend to keep the main characters Hansel, Gretel, and Gingerbread House sorceress intact while expanding the magic forest and Gingerbread House settings. They noted the scale at which they developed the fairy tale universe is intended to keep the knowledgeable viewers of the fairy tale engaged.[7]

## Animation

Animation for the film was created by Wizart Animation. The animators were considerably influenced by works from prominent artists. The gingerbread house will be based on the work of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. The animators were influenced by director Tim Burton's ability to transform horror elements to charming characters featured in such films as the stop-motion animated film *Corpse Bride.[8]* The film is based on a new animation special effects system, the animation studio itself engineered. The system is based on the studio's own pipeline. The graphics technology will avail of new special effects and facial and skeleton setup which they intend to share with other independent studios in the future.[9]

## Music

The score for *Secret Magic Control Agency* is composed by Gabriel Hays*.* The composer noted writing music for the genres of spy and fantasy required more thought because the music would contrast with each other. Additionally this area of music is generally unexplored. Using the "fun, whimsy, and heart" classical characters Hansel and Gretel as a template, the music was able to meld the fantasy with the spy genre.[10]

## Theatrical and streaming

The release of the fairy tale animation movie *Secret Magic Control Agency* was confirmed by the press service of Sony Pictures on 27 January 2021. The press emphasized the audience will be able to comprehend a new look to the classic fairy tale of Brothers Grimm. The fantasy spy film will involve espionage conceptualized by the Department of Magical Security. The film will explain the effects of fraud and the concept of gentleman thief conceptualized by the character Hansel. The character Gretel is described as the leading spy for the Secret Magic Control Agency.[11]

*Secret Magic Control Agency* released in Russia through Sony Pictures Productions and Releasing on 18 March 2021.[12] Netflix acquired global rights to the film. The Netflix team promoted and localized the film for international distribution. On 25 March 2021, the movie released under the Netflix Original brand.[13]

*Secret Magic Control Agency* trended seventh place in Behind the Voice Actors website in the third week of March.[14]