DISNEY XD ORDERS "WASABI WARRIORS" A NEW MARTIAL ARTS INSPIRED COMEDY SERIES

-- Stars Jason Earles ("Hannah Montana") and Leo Howard ("Leo Little's Big Show") --

Disney XD has ordered "Wasabi Warriors" (working title), a live action comedy set at the Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy, a strip mall martial arts studio and worst dojo in the underperforming nationwide Bobby Wasabi chain. There, a ragtag crew of lovable misfits welcomes a hotshot skateboarder named Jack, who will teach a group of neighborhood goofballs about life, karate and how to just plain kick it. The multi-camera series will begin production in Hollywood in January for a 2011 premiere around the world. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Marsh said, "By weaving martial arts into the fabric of a traditional situation comedy, we've created a completely unique sitcom form. Plus, by pairing our star Leo Howard -- a real life black-belt martial artist -- with a brilliant comedian like Jason Earles, we've tipped the scales towards success."

Starring are Jason Earles ("Hannah Montana") as Rudy, Leo Howard (Disney Channel's short-form series "Leo Little's Big Show") as Jack, Mateo Arias ("Cold Case," "Hannah Montana,") as Jerry, Dylan Riley Snyder ("Life During Wartime") as Milton, Alex Jones as Eddie and Olivia Holt ("Black & Blue") as Kim.

Located in a strip mall, the Bobby Wasabi Martial Arts Academy is in danger of closing until Sensei Rudy recruits Jack, the only person who can restore glory to Bobby Wasabi and vanquish their bitter rival The Golden Dragon. Jack reluctantly joins the dojo and meets his new crew -- tough guy and slacker Jerry, awkward yet confident Milton and the lovable and uncoordinated Eddie. These underdogs soon realize their newfound friendship will take them places they never quite imagined.

The series was created by Jim O'Doherty ("Grounded for Life," "3rd Rock from the Sun") who, with Marc Warren ("JONAS L.A.," "Cory in the House,""That's So Raven"), serves as Executive Producer. Joey Scott ("Growing Pains") is the producer. "Wasabi Warriors" is produced by It's A Laugh Productions, Inc.

Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-14, hyper-targeting boys and their quest for discovery, accomplishment, sports, adventure and humor. Disney XD branded content spans television, online, mobile and VOD platforms. The programming includes series, movies and short-form, as well as sports-themed programming developed with ESPN. In the U.S., Disney XD is seen on a 24-hour, advertiser supported network that reaches over 78 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. Disney XD channels are in the UK, France, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Poland, Greece, Turkey, Latin America, Japan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and The Netherlands.