Surf’s Up: Beloved Animated Film Set for Small-Screen Adaptation

The critically acclaimed animated mockumentary "Surf’s Up," known for its charming penguin surfers and star-studded voice cast, is making waves once again. Sony Pictures Animation’s 2007 hit is being reimagined as a television series, promising to bring the icy shores of Antarctica to a new generation of viewers.

Key Takeaways

• The animated film "Surf’s Up" (2007) is being adapted into a television series.
• The series, titled "Surf’s Up: The Series," will be developed by Atomic Cartoons.
• It will target children aged 6-9 with 11-minute episodes.
• Characters from the original film, including Cody Maverick, Big Z, and Chicken Joe, are expected to return.

A New Wave of Entertainment

Atomic Cartoons, a division of Thunderbird Entertainment Group, is spearheading the development of "Surf’s Up: The Series." The show aims to capture the spirit of the original film, which followed a teenage penguin named Cody Maverick’s journey to become a professional surfer. The adaptation will feature new characters alongside beloved returning ones, promising a fresh yet familiar experience for fans.

Creative Team and Target Audience

The writing team for the series includes Lienne Sawatsky, Dan Williams, and John Hazlett, known for their work on children’s animated series like "The Guava Juice Show." They will also serve as showrunners. Jennifer Twiner McCarron, CEO of Thunderbird Entertainment and Atomic Cartoons, will executive produce alongside Joel Bradley, Aaron Behl, and Sony’s Rick Mischel. The series is specifically designed for children aged 6-9, with each episode running approximately 11 minutes, making it ideal for younger audiences.

What to Expect

While the original film featured a mockumentary style and cameos from real-life surfing legends like Kelly Slater and Rob Machado, the series will introduce a new protagonist, an over-confident teen penguin named Flip. He will team up with a group of young surfers, encountering spectacular wipeouts and ultimately building their own surf community on Pen Gu Island. The return of characters like Cody, Big Z, and Chicken Joe is confirmed, though details about the original voice cast reprising their roles are yet to be announced. The series is also being developed for international distribution and potential consumer product lines.

Sources

• World’s most popular surf film to be adapted as television series, BeachGrit.com.
• TV Series Adaptation Of Sony Movie In Works At Atomic Cartoons, Deadline.
• Atomic Cartoons Hangs Ten with Sony’s ‘Surf’s Up’ Animated Series Adaptation, Animation Magazine.
• ‘Surf’s Up’ Is Back: Animated Film Returns as TV Series, SURFER Magazine.