Creating an animated television show and a live-action program each presents their own challenges, so you can imagine how tough it would be to create a show that combines the two mediums. That’s what’s happening with Son of Zorn, Fox’s upcoming Jason Sudeikis-starring comedy that follows the titular cartoon warrior who is trying to repair his relationship with his flesh-and-bone family. In a new behind-the-scenes video (above), we learn that, yes, there’s a lot involved in bridging the gap between reality and drawing.

Titmouse Inc. Animation Studios is tasked with making this happen, and basically, here’s how it works: There’s an actor who serves as a stand-in for Zorn on set, who does a rehearsal take to give the actors, directors, and animators an idea of where their cartoon scene partner is going to be and how he will occupy their shared space. Once that’s squared away, the animators then digitally create Zorn directly on the live-action frames before sending it off to Korean animators to complete the more tedious parts of the animation.

“This is utterly unique – there has literally never been a show like this. And, of course, it is very, very funny,” Fox’s Entertainment president David Madden said when the show was announced. “The fantastically talented duo of Phil Lord and Chris Miller are yet again delivering precedent-setting television. Jason Sudeikis makes his animated character sound and feel live-action, and Cheryl [Hines], Johnny [Pemberton] and Tim [Meadows] have incredible chemistry with him that crosses formats, genres and galaxies.”

It sure seems like a winner to us, and if you’re still holding out hope for that show starring Thor and Darryl, this is probably going to be your best bet.

We’re stoked for Son of Zorn and these other fall TV shows!

Featured image: FOX Television