The dream of the 90s is certainly alive on television, with news of reboots and revivals coming nearly every day.The X-Files,Full House,Twin Peaks, evenRush Houris coming to the small screen as a comedy series. If your favorite movies or TV shows of yore haven’t been remade yet, that doesn’t mean you’re safe. And indeed, with the recent spike in 90s-era nostalgia seemingly reaching its zenith, Viacom is looking to get on the party by creating an original feature starring some of its classic Nickelodeon characters.
We heard rumors about this last fall, as far as Nickelodeon looking torevivesome of its classic properties (most of which made our list of theBest 90s Cartoons. And now, according toDeadline, aNickToonsmovie would be “Paramount’s answer toWho Framed Roger Rabbit.”
The feature is set to be directed byNapoleon Dynamite’sJared Hess, with a screenplay he will co-write with his wifeJarusha Hess(she also co-wroteDynamiteas well asNacho Libre). The idea came fromAli Mendes, who worked with Disruption Entertainment’sMary Parent(who will be producing the movie, alongsideCale Boyter). Characters fromRugrats,Ren & Stimpy,Rocko’s Modern Life,Aaahh! Real Monster, andThe Angry Beavershave been named as appearing, although what aboutKablam!andSpongeBob? (Just leaveCatDogout of it, please).Doug, for what it’s worth, is owned by Disney, and Nickelodeon is already making aHey Arnold!TV movie.
So let’s break this down … first of all, I’m cautiously intrigued by the idea of an Avengers or Justice League-style team-up of NickToons. It’s incredibly weird and ambitious, and I have no idea how it would actually work (partially animated, or full animated?) The introduction of the Hesses into the picture also adds an unexpected element. Though the tide has turned againstNapoleon Dynamitesince it debuted over a decade ago, it’s a movie that originally resonated soundly with the age group that theNickToonsmovie would be looking to engage. The Hesses definitely have a very specific style and distinct tone to their films, though, but it’s also one that could make perfect sense for aNickToonsmovie.
What say you, readers? Are you wary, excited, or downright incensed over the idea? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned (tooned?) for more updates on the project as we know them.
