Cartoon Network Reveals New Series, Original Movies and New Programming at 2006 Kids Upfront Presentation

March 01, 2006

At the Cartoon Network Upfront event held today in New York, Cartoon Network announced its programming line-up for 2006. In addition to the previously debuted Ben 10 and My Gym Partner's A Monkey, this year's new original programming also includes Squirrel Boy and the highly anticipated series from Andr� Benjamin, Class of 3000, debuting in November; four original movies, including Cartoon Network's first-ever live-action/animated production Re-Animated; and new seasons of popular existing shows. In addition to new programming, it was announced that the new Saturday morning hit, Ben 10 has been greenlit for its third season.

"Last year, our ratings growth was led by the strength of our original programs," said Jim Samples, executive vice president and general manager of Cartoon Network. "We plan to continue that momentum this year with original movies and events based on some of our biggest hits. With both Class of 3000, from one of the most gifted talents in the music industry, Andr� Benjamin, and Squirrel Boy, we are looking forward to another exciting year."

Created by Everett Peck, Squirrel Boy is a classic tale of a squirrel and his boy and is slated to premiere in July. Class of 3000 centers around music star Sunny Bridges, who leaves superstardom and comes home to teach at his alma mater, a performing arts school in Atlanta. Co-created by Andr� Benjamin and well-known kids programming producer Tom Lynch, the series will debut in November. Both are produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif.

Cartoon Network also announced the production of Re-Animated, an original two-hour movie that combines the elements of live action and animation. Re-Animated will be the first production of its kind for the network. Twelve-year-old Jimmy Roberts is in need of an emergency brain transplant and ends up with the brain of a famous cartoonist. He is never the same again, as he sees cartoon characters wherever he goes. Re-Animated was created by Adam Pava and Tim McKeon and is scheduled to premiere in fall 2006.

Three original movies based on original series, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Codename: Kids Next Door and Teen Titans will also air this year. Cartoon Network announced plans to produce 12 more animated movies.

Highlights of Cartoon Network's announcements are as follows:

New Original Series:

- Squirrel Boy: Squirrel Boy, a classic tale of a squirrel and his boy by creator and executive producer Everett Peck, will debut in July. Andy and his best friend-and-pet Rodney seek adventure in Andy's backyard and throughout the neighborhood. Veteran voice actors will bring the series' characters to life, including Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants), Richard Horvitz (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), Pamela S. Adlon (King of the Hill, Chicken Little) and Kurtwood Smith (Red in That '70s Show).

- Class of 3000: The half-hour series featuring a group of musically gifted kids at the Westley School for Performing Arts in Atlanta is set to premiere in November. When former student Sunny Bridges returns to regain something he lost on his way to fame, he brings sunshine to the lives of the culturally diverse students. Benjamin will contribute music and his voice talent to the series. Other cast members are Tom Kenny (SpongeBob SquarePants, Camp Lazlo), Crystal Scales (Static Shock, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron), Jennifer Hale (Samurai Jack, The Powerpuff Girls), Janice Kawaye (Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi) and Jeff Glen Bennet (Johnny Bravo, Camp Lazlo). The series is produced by the Tom Lynch Co., Andr� Benjamin's production company, Moxie Turtle, and Cartoon Network. Twelve-half hour episodes and a one-hour premiere are being produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, Calif.

- My Gym Partner's a Monkey: Going to school is like a trip to the jungle for Adam Lyon. Due to an administrative mix-up, Adam attends Charles Darwin Middle School for animals-where not getting eaten during class constitutes a good day. Luckily for Adam, he has buddy Jake Spidermonkey to pal around with. The half-hour series, from creators Julie McNally Cahill and Tim Cahill, debuted on Friday, Feb. 24 and airs regularly on Fridays at 9 p.m. (ET, PT).

Original Movies:

- Re-Animated: After a visit to the amusement park, 12-year-old Jimmy Roberts is never the same. An amusement park mishap forces Jimmy to go into emergency surgery. The only way to save him is to immediately give him a new brain, and the available brain is the frozen one of a famous animator. When Jimmy wakes up from surgery, he discovers that he can see cartoon characters that others cannot. Re-Animated, from creators Adam Pava and Tim McKeon, is scheduled to premiere in the fall.

- Codename: Kids Next Door, "OPERATION: Z.E.R.O." : The Kids Next Door face their biggest adventure yet when an evil threatens to turn both kids and adults into tapioca-eating, hideously wrinkly Senior Citizombies. The Kids Next Door are forced to re-commission their greatest operative ever to battle for not only kids, but for the world itself. The 90-minute feature will debut in August.

- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, "Good Wilt Hunting": For the first time ever, the creators of favorite imaginary friends will be revealed. At the Foster's picnic, creators of imaginary friends visit their old pals. The girl who created Eduardo returns, as do the scientists who studied Coco, but Wilt's creator never arrives. Wilt searches for answers while the Foster's crew follows behind on his journey. The 60-minute movie will air in late fall.

- Teen Titans Tokyo: America's coolest heroes head to Japan in their first animated movie, Teen Titans Tokyo, airing in late fall. When a high-tech ninja attacks Titans Tower, Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Raven and Beast Boy spring into action. Robin finds out that the ninja was sent by a mysterious and menacing Japanese criminal known as Brushogun, and the Teen Titans travel to Tokyo to track the villain down.

New Seasons of Original Series:

- Ben 10: New episodes of Ben 10 currently air on Saturdays at 10 a.m. (ET, PT). The show will begin in strip Monday-Friday beginning in May. May also marks the beginning of the second season with Ben's Omnitrix, the high-tech outerspace gadget that allows him to change into 10 alien heroes, attracting even more attention from universal bad guys. The Cartoon Network original which debuted in January 2006, has been greenlit for a third season, bringing the total episode count to 39.

- Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: Thirteen new episodes about the adventures of Mac and Bloo and other imaginary friends will continue during the fourth season that begins in April. The popular Cartoon Network series has also been greenlit for a fifth season with a 60-minute movie airing in November 2006.

- The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy: Cartoon Network's hit series is currently in its fifth season with a special week of new episodes airing March 20-March 23 at 8 p.m. (ET, PT). The next 13 episodes will begin airing late summer, marking the sixth season for the series. A total of 17 new episodes about the everyday trials and tribulations of Billy, Mandy and their best friend, the Grim Reaper, will air throughout 2006. There will also be a 90-minute movie airing in early 2007.

- Camp Lazlo: The third season of the popular Cartoon Network original series Camp Lazlo about Lazlo and his fellow campers and the friendly havoc they wreak on Camp Kidney will begin airing in June. The series has also been given the greenlight for a fourth season, bringing the order to 52 episodes.

- Ed, Edd n Eddy: Produced by creator and executive producer Danny Antonucci, the series is currently in its fifth season with ten new episodes airing throughout 2006. This year, Ed, Edd and Eddy face life in school. The series that debuted in 1999 has also been greenlit for a sixth season and will have a total of 78 new episodes.

- Codename: Kids Next Door: The world's youngest underground operatives continue their plight for youths around the world in the fifth season of the original series by creator Tom Warburton, airing throughout 2006. The sixth season will begin in the fall with 13 new episodes.

New Episodes of Returning Series:

- Justice League Unlimited: The two-episode conclusion of the popular series will air in April during Toonami. In the final two episodes, a knock-down, drag-out battle on Earth and in space ensues. The Justice League has its hands full with a powerful threat that leads to a new powerful team-up.

- IGPX: In the new episodes of the Toonami original IGPX, Team Satomi faces new challenges as a team and races to become number one in the Immortal Grand Prix. New episodes will begin on May 13.

- Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi follows the adventures of two very cool, but very different pop stars on tour and in their hometown, Tokyo. Ami and Yumi travel around the globe in new episodes that begin on March 3.

- The Life & Times of Juniper Lee: The Life & Times of Juniper Lee from creator Judd Winick continues its second season beginning March 11 at 11 a.m. (ET, PT). She has after-school activities and hobbies just like any other 11-year-old, but Juniper is also responsible for maintaining the equilibrium between the world of magic and humanity.

- Totally Spies: Beginning April 3, Cartoon Network will air 15 new episodes of Totally Spies during Miguzi. When they're not studying, shopping or trying to impress boys, three normal teen girls, Sam, Alex and Clover, travel the world on behalf of W.O.O.H.P., the World Organization of Human Protection, in Totally Spies.

- Naruto: New episodes of the popular series Naruto continue to air during Toonami on Saturdays at 9 p.m. (ET, PT). Naruto is the only one who is unaware that an evil demon was contained in his body when he was a baby. Now he strives to control the powers within him while working hard to become a master ninja.

- Zixx: Zixx blends live action with CGI animation in this entertaining serial adventure about Intergalactic agent Zixx and her struggle for good on Earth. New episodes air on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. (ET, PT).

- Robot Boy: New episodes of Robot Boy will continue to air on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. (ET, PT). In Robot Boy, an adolescent android is designed by a brilliant Japanese scientist to be the ultimate fighting robot, but with human emotions. To make sure that he does not fall into the wrong hands, he lives with his pen pal, Tommy Turnbull.

- Transformers Cybertron: The Transformers travel across the universe in search of the Cyber Planet Keys with the evil Decepticons hot on their trail. New episodes begin March 11 at 7 p.m. (ET, PT) during Toonami.

- The Batman: This younger Batman confronts each member of his classic Rogues Gallery for the first time, including Joker, Penguin and Catwoman. Twenty-six new episodes of The Batman are slated to begin this summer.

- Bobo-Bo-Bobobobo: With the help of his blond hair, Bobobosets out to save the land from Baldy Bald and his quest to make everyone bald. New episodes continue to air on Saturdays at 10 p.m. (ET, PT) during Toonami.

- Zatch Bell: Zatch Bell continues with new episodes on Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET, PT), during Toonami. The series takes viewers to the world of good and evil mamodo as Zatch Bell seeks to become king over all mamodos on Earth.

- One Piece: Luffy continues his aquatic search for Gold Rogers' ultimate treasure with new episodes airing Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. (ET, PT) during Toonami.

New Acquired Series:

- Xiaolin Showdown: In Xiaolin Showdown, Omi, a young, gifted monk-in-training from the Xiaolin Temple, must lead his three fellow trainees, hipster Kimiko, flashy, street-smart Brazilian Raimundo and Texas Kung Fu cowboy Clay, around the world to find and protect sacred artifacts. The series premieres Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. (ET, PT).

- Team Galaxy: This fast-paced futuristic adventure follows the intergalactic exploits of three outrageous heroes, Josh, Brett and Yoko, who are forced to multi-task between the tribulations of their regular teen lives and high-flying space adventures. Team Galaxy is set to premiere in late fall.

- The Land Before Time: Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike and Chomper from The Land Before Time movies continue their adventures in the new animated television series. The series is scheduled to air in the winter.

- Ellen's Acres: Ellen's Acres tells the amazing adventures of 5-year-old Ellen, her feather duster, her radial tire and the hotel her father owns. At Emerald Acres Hotel, there's not a lot to do and no kids for Ellen to play with. But Ellen's companion is her big imagination and the adventures she creates. Ellen's Acres is scheduled to air in late fall.

New Acquired Movies:

- Spirited Away: The Oscar winning animated film by director Hayao Miyazaki will air on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT). The Academy Award winning feature follows the Chihiro's fanciful adventures in a secret world ruled by witches and creatures. Chihiro must adapt with the help of her new friends to survive her strange adventure.

- Princess Mononoke: From director Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke will air on Cartoon Network on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT). A prince is infected with an incurable disease and travels to the Far East for a cure. There he finds himself in the midst of a battle between the forest animals, led by Princess Mononoke, and an iron-mining town.

- Castle in the Sky: In the animated film Castle in the Sky, directed by Hayao Miyazaki, a young boy named Pazu meets a mysterious girl named Sheet who floats down from the sky. After saving Sheet's life, Pazu and Sheet embark on search for Sheet's identity in a floating castle of a lost civilization. Castle in the Sky will air on April 1 at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT).

- Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind: In Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind from director Hayao Miyazaki, man has destroyed the Earth and only small pockets of humanity survive. In one pocket, Valley of the Wind, a princess named Nausicaa tries to understand the Toxic Jungle. The animated movie airs on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT).

- Ultimate Avengers: Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, returns to the world after being frozen in ice for 60 years. He quickly realizes that this new and very different world is in need of heroes. With Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, Giant Man and others, he forms the Ultimate Avengers. The animated feature is set to air in the spring.

- Ultimate Avengers 2: Captain America and the rest of the Ultimate Avengers return to battle with a new set of villains. This time, the events are more threatening than ever. Ultimate Avengers 2 is slated to air in the fall.

- Iron Man: Based on the Marvel Comics character, Iron Man tells the story of billionaire Tony Stark, an alcoholic and one of the world's most imaginative weapons defense technology creators. When a powerful competitor almost succeeds in killing him, he must build a modern-day suit of armor to stay alive. As he becomes more agile and powerful, Stark decides to use it to fight crime as Iron Man. The animated feature is scheduled to air in the fall.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 88 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.