JON HEDER TO STAR IN AND EXECUTIVE-PRODUCE A COMEDY SERIES PILOT, "GULLIVER QUINN," FOR DISNEY XD

Actor, screenwriter and filmmaker Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite," "Blades of Glory") will star in and executive-produce "Gulliver Quinn" (working title), a comedy series pilot for Disney XD, it was announced today by Adam Bonnett, senior vice president, Original Programming, Disney Channels.

Standing apart from the pack, the multiplatform Disney XD serves kids age 6-14, especially boys, with stories and characters designed to connect with them, challenge them, convey a sense of accomplishment and inspire them on their journey.

The "Gulliver Quinn" script was written by Dan Kopelman ("Malcolm in the Middle") who executive-produces the pilot along with Stan Rogow ("Lizzie McGuire") and Jon Heder. Rob Schrab ("The Sarah Silverman Program") will direct.

Full casting is underway now for the single camera production which will begin this summer.

"It's an absolute coup for Disney XD to be working with Jon -- he is a tremendous comedic talent, and Dan Kopelman's brilliant script is the perfect project to showcase his quirky sense of humor," said Bonnett. "Bringing in Jon and his creative team, Dan and Rob, and our longtime pal, Stan, illustrates our ongoing commitment to building a world class slate of programming for Disney XD's core boy audience."

Set in present day, the comedy follows Gulliver Quinn, a grown man enrolled in the seventh grade after his family returns from a 15-year research expedition -- and living in a cave in remote northwest India. There, mom and dad pursued their long held goal, creating a documentary film on a rare tortoise, and Gulliver grew up acquiring awesome skills such as lightning-quick reflexes and the ability to see in the dark.

Now with a son in his late 20s, the family have come back to their suburban home, its 1996 decor, years of stacked up mail and a 28 and three-quarters year-old son who needs to finally graduate seventh grade.

At school, Gulliver makes a few friends -- and a few enemies -- and joins a street hockey team. But his troubles have only just begun because the principal is no fan, and his childhood crush is now the school nurse (and due to budget cuts, head of the history department).

The pilot is a production of Turtle Rock Productions, Inc.

Year-to-year, Disney XD has posted 28 consecutive months of Total Day ratings increases among Boys 6-14 and Boys 6-11, and 26 consecutive months of Primetime ratings growth in those key demographics - the longest growth streak of any kid cable network.

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. Disney XD will launch in Canada on June 1.