Zag, the studio behind the blockbuster franchise “Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir,” is teaming with former F1 driver Carmen Jordá to turn on the girl power with “Carmen,” a first animated feature film set in the world of women’s motorsports.

“Miraculous” co-creator and producer Jeremy Zag is developing the feature and a franchise (ranging from scripted, live experiences and consumer products) inspired by Jordá. The project will look to appeal to Gen Z audiences with themes of empowerment, cinematic storytelling and full-on action.

Zag has also enlisted high profile producing partners on “Carmen,” including Michael Gracey, the filmmaker of “The Greatest Showman” and “Better Man;” and Tyler Thompson, who’s produced “Black Swan” and “Rush;” alongside former HBO Max and Netflix executive Andrea Puig who is joining as executive producer.

The film will follow Carmen as she navigate a brutal racing universe and is forced to overcome doubt, pressure and heartbreak. “Carmen must push beyond her limits to reclaim her dream and discover who she truly is,” reads the synopsis.

“At Zag, we’ve always believed in creating heroes who inspire kids to believe in themselves,” said Zag, whose “Miraculous” franchise portrayed the first female-powered superhero set in Paris.  “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,” continued Zag, who just celebrated the 10-year anniversary of “Miraculous” with Mediawan’s chairman and co-founder Pierre-Antoine Capton.

Jordá, meanwhile, said, “Racing has shaped my life. Partnering with Zag means turning my passion into a story that can inspire millions of young girls around the world. I want them to know they can dream big, fight hard, and take their place on the track — just like I did.”

A former development driver of Lotus and Renault in Formula 1, Jordá became the 11th woman in history to be included in a driver line-up for a prestigious F1 team. She’s also an advocate for female race car
drivers and inclusion throughout motorsports.

Gracey said, “Carmen’s journey boasts a story of resilience and unwavering self-belief, even in the face of tempting limitations.”

The filmmaker praised Jordá for “her fearlessness and ambition,” which “are the qualities of true heroes.” “It’s a privilege to let them guide our narrative – and hopefully inspire the generation discovering her.”

Thompson said he was “excited to join the incredible team to bring Carmen’s story to life for so
many audiences around the world. What she’s done in her sport is truly remarkable.”

Puig said “Jeremy’s artistic sensitivity and instinct for talent make him a true pioneer in storytelling and musical creation, building worlds with lasting emotional impact.”

The executive said Zag has captured “Carmen’s fight and spirit in motorsport through characters only he can bring to life.” “Being able to share a female story driven by grit, speed, and ambition with the world is a dream come true,” Puig added.

The world of women in motorsports has been trending in recent years. Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, for instance, produced a docuseries about female drivers of Formula 1’s F1 Academy which found a home at Netflix.  

Zag is also currently developing a second “Miraculous” movie with producer John Cohen (“Despicable Me,” “The Angry Birds Movie”) and writer Matt Roller (“Rick And Morty,” “Community”). The first opus “Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir” was a global hit in 2023. While it streamed on Netflix in a number of territories such as the U.S., Canada and Latin America, the film thrived at the box office across most of Europe where it opened theatrically, grossing over $40 million.

The other big project in Zag’s pipeline is the musical animated feature film “Melody,” starring Katy Perry as the title character.