Primordial Soup, the AI studio founded by Darren Aronofsky, has launched an animated short-form series centered around the American Revolution, created in collaboration with Google DeepMind. Titled On This Day … 1776, this innovative project will premiere new episodes on Time’s YouTube channel, rolling out throughout 2026. This launch coincides with the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which is set to be widely recognized with various events and media showcases.
The initiative emerged from a strategic partnership unveiled last May between Primordial Soup and Google DeepMind, aimed at exploring the intersection of storytelling and cutting-edge technology. The series employs a unique blend of traditional filmmaking techniques and artificial intelligence, producing short narratives that depict significant moments from 1776, commemorating their anniversaries.
The creators intend to reframe the Revolutionary War as a delicate experiment shaped by the individuals involved rather than a predetermined outcome, as stated in a joint announcement from the companies. The series utilizes historical records and integrates generative AI tools for animation, all while employing voice actors represented by SAG-AFTRA. This detail is particularly relevant as the union is preparing for upcoming contract negotiations. Primordial Soup’s post-production team has played a crucial role in editing, mixing, and color grading the episodes to ensure a polished final product.
Time Studios, the film, television, and digital division of the news organization, has become a key participant in this venture with the goal of establishing itself as a distribution platform for innovative creators. Studio president Ben Bitonti emphasized that this project showcases a creative, thoughtful approach to utilizing AI, not as a substitute for artistic craft, but as a means to broaden the horizons of what storytellers can achieve.
Darren Aronofsky serves as the executive producer for On This Day, with the writers room led by Lucas Sussman, indicating a strong creative foundation for this ambitious series. Overall, this project reflects a promising blend of history and technology, aiming to captivate audiences while celebrating a pivotal moment in American history.