This week in animation news: three updates on rebooted properties (including the ReBoot reboot...), one graphic novel adaptation, and one crazy Warner Bros. property mash-up. Check it all out below!
'ReBoot' Reboot Gets Live-Action Treatment
Almost exactly two years ago, I suggested the idea of a ReBoot reboot. Now, as THR confirms, the 90s computer-generated animated series about a team of Guardians protecting the Mainframe from attacks by computer viruses and participating in user-generated games is getting a facelift. Even though the new series, dubbed ReBoot: The Guardian Code, will be based on the original creation of Gavin Blair, John Grace, Phil Mitchell and Ian Pearson, it will be a blend of live-action and CG-animation that encompasses all forms of media and platforms prevalent in our world today.
ReBoot: The Guardian Code will follow four teens — Austin, Parker, Grey and Tamra — who are tasked with protecting the world by battling in cyberspace once they discover that they are next-generation of Guardians. Vera, the last surviving cyber-being from the original Guardian program, helps the four heroes as they use their code-based powers to battle viruses unleashed by a ruthless hacker, known only as the Sourcerer. (So, basically VR Troopers or Superhuman Samurai Syber-squad.) Also, an original big bad will be returning to the new version with a big upgrade.
TWC/Dimension Television have picked up international distribution rights to the Rainmaker Entertainment property, of which Canadian Corus Entertainment has ordered 26 episodes.
'Ben 10' Rebooted
Man of Action's series, Ben 10, about a boy granted superhuman abilities via alien technology, originally ran from 2005 to 2008, inspired three spin-off series and three movies; a pretty impressive run. As TV Line reports, the property is now getting a reboot in order to make it available to new fans. While the reimagined series sounds very familiar - it follows ten-year-old Ben Tennyson on his summer vacation road trip with his cousin Gwen and Granpa Max, whereupon he discovers the Omnitrix - I'm hoping it'll have an updated look so that both new and old fans alike can enjoy it.
The new, and as-of-yet unnamed, Ben 10 series will roll out on Cartoon Networks' international channels in the fall of 2016, with a North American debut in 2017.
New 'PowerPuff Girls' Voice Cast Announced
Yes, the original Powerpuff Girls series is getting a reboot; no, the original voice cast of Cathy Cavadini (Blossom), Tara Strong (Bubbles), and Elizabeth Daily (Buttercup) will not be reprising their roles. Make of that news what you will, but at least the iconic design of Craig McCracken's super-powered girls has been carried into the new iteration. News of the casting broke via the series' Facebook page, but it wasn't until the original cast voiced their support/displeasure that we learned that they hadn't even been offered the roles; Tom Kenny, however, will return as the Narrator/Mayor. Fans appeared to be just as upset as the cast, though newcomers to the show will likely come to love the new series just as much as the 1998 original. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Look for the new The Powerpuff Girls on Cartoon Network in 2016.
DreamWorks Animation Options 'Cow Boy' for TV
DreamWorks Animation has optioned Cow Boy for an animated TV series. The Boom! Studios graphic novel from creators Nate Cosby and Chris Eliopoulus is a comedic Western with a distinct "Calvin and Hobbes" feel that follows ten-year-old Boyd Linney, a bounty hunter who's the one good and honest member of the outlaw Linney family and "is determined to send every member of his ‘good fer’ nuthin’ kin to jail." The Wrap reports that Brendan Hay (The Croods Netflix series) will executive produce and write the animated series adapted from the 2013 Eisner-nominated publication.
Tom and Jerry Join Jonny and Hadji in 'Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest'
And last but not least, we've got a weird little mash-up movie called Tom & Jerry: Spy Quest. As you can see in the clip above, the famous cat and mouse team have joined up with the equally famous spy kids from Jonny Quest to help save the day:
Tom and Jerry set out on one of their biggest, boldest adventures yet in Tom and Jerry: Spy Quest. Get set for intrigue, thrills, suspense and high-action as the animated duo get wrapped up in a top secret, spy-tacular, fun-filled mission the whole family can enjoy together. It’s just another day at the beach for the dueling Tom and Jerry … that is until they bump into world-class junior spies Jonny Quest, Hadji and their canine companion Bandit. When longtime Quest family nemesis Dr. Zin discovers that Jonny’s father, Dr. Benton Quest, has a device to solve the world’s energy problems, he sends his evil cat army to steal it and capture him and his bodyguard, Race Bannon. Jonny and his new furry friends set out on an action-packed quest to find his father and save the world from the malicious Dr. Zin.
I wonder if this is just the first of many new Jonny Quest-related properties coming from Warner Bros. now that Robert Rodriguez is onboard to direct the live-action feature adaptation. If you'd like, you can check out this team-up via Digital HD, and coming to DVD on June 23.
