Walt Disney Television Animation has announced several new projects in development, including a special based on the Haunted Mansion theme park attraction (which has also been the subject of a 2003 feature film and is reportedly still under development as a second feature with Guillermo del Toro). The other pilots under production are Billy Dilley’s Super Duper Subterranean Summer, starring a trio of kids on a grand adventure deep under the surface of the Earth; Very Important House, created by Jhonen Vasquez (Invader Zim) and Jenny Goldberg and focusing on a girl who suddenly finds herself caretaker of the universe; and Douglas Furs, about an inept bear handyman in the forest animal community of Douglas. A short-form series pilot titled “Future-Worm!” is also under development, about a boy who builds a time machine out of a lunchbox and befriends a fearless worm from the future.
In addition, Disney also issued a press release trumpeting the ratings success of The 7D, the new animated comedy series that presents a radically different vision of the Seven Dwarfs from Disney’s first animated feature film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
The full press releases follow:
“HAUNTED MANSION” SPECIAL, INSPIRED BY POPULAR DISNEY THEME PARKS ATTRACTION, IN DEVELOPMENT AT DISNEY TELEVISION ANIMATION
– TV Animation Studio Continues to Expand Roster of Top Creative Talent with Production on Three Pilots and New Short-Form Series from Aaron Springer, Jhonen Vasquez and Jenny Goldberg, Jesse LeDoux and Matt Olsen, and Ryan Quincy; Extends Overall Development Deal with “Phineas and Ferb” Co-Creator and Executive Producer Dan Povenmire –
Disney Television Animation is in development on “Haunted Mansion,” a special for Disney Channel and Disney XD inspired by the popular Disney Parks attraction. Legendary horror genre artist and children’s book illustrator Gris Grimly (“Gris Grimly’s Wicked Nursery Rhymes”) is attached to executive produce and art direct with Scott Peterson executive producing, story editing and writing and Joshua Pruett consulting producing and writing, both of “Phineas and Ferb.”
The television animation studio continues to add to its deep roster of world-class artists and creators with three pilots and a new short-form series from Aaron Springer, Jhonen Vasquez and Jenny Goldberg, Jesse LeDoux and Matt Olsen, and Ryan Quincy, all currently in production for Disney XD. The studio has also extended an overall deal with Emmy Award-winning “Phineas and Ferb” co-creator and executive producer Dan Povenmire for development on new projects. Recently nominated for its ninth Emmy Award, “Phineas and Ferb” currently airs on Disney Channel and Disney XD with the television special “Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars” set to debut later this month.
The news was announced today by Eric Coleman, Senior Vice President, Original Series, Disney Television Animation.
Coleman said, “Over the past few years we have focused our strategy on making Disney Television Animation the home for the strongest talent in the business. We have steadily built our roster with both animation veterans and fresh voices, and have fostered an environment where artists support and inspire one another. This group will help us continue to deliver the great storytelling and beloved characters that the Disney animation legacy is known for.”
New pilots in production are:
“Billy Dilley’s Super Duper Subterranean Summer” Summer break takes an unexpected turn when Zak and Marsha end up stuck in uncharted land at the center of the earth with eccentric classmate Billy Dilley.
“Very Important House”
Creative Talent: Jhonen Vasquez, creator of cult favorite “Invader Zim” and character designer Jenny Goldberg (“Rick and Morty,” “Bravest Warriors”) are co-creators.
Synopsis: 11-year-old Frolie moves into the Very Important House and suddenly finds herself in the role of caretaker of the universe.
“Douglas Furs”
Creative Talent: Highly-regarded illustrator and former Sub Pop Records art director Jesse LeDoux and actor/writer Matt Olsen (“Sly Cooper”) are co-creators.
Synopsis:Deep in the woods, beyond human reach, exists the thriving animal community of Douglas where Barry the bear, the world’s least-handy handyman, takes it upon himself to fix all the town’s problems.
New short-form series in production:
“Future-Worm!”
Creative Talent:Director Ryan Quincy of “South Park” and IFC’s “Out There” is creator.
Synopsis:A boy creates a time machine lunch box and befriends a fearless worm from the future.
Disney Television Animation is an industry leader in the production of quality animated properties for television. The animation studio, led by Coleman and Lisa Salamone, Senior Vice President, Production, is home to hit, award-winning television series for Disney-branded channels and platforms worldwide including “Phineas and Ferb,” “Wander Over Yonder,” “Gravity Falls” and “Mickey Mouse.” Disney Television Animation is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group at The Walt Disney Company.
“The 7D” Is Disney XD’s #2 Original Animated Series Launch
of All Time Among Kids 2-11 and Kids 6-11
“The 7D Mine Train” App Is #1 in Kids Category in Over
40 Countries With Over 1.3 Million Downloads and Counting
“The 7D”: Monday – Friday, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Last Monday’s premiere of Disney’s animated series “The 7D,” a contemporary, comedic take on the world of the Seven Dwarfs, delivered strong ratings on the ad-supported Disney XD with 546,000 Total Viewers, ranking as the network’s #2 animated original-series premiere on record among Kids 2-11 (369,000/0.9 rating) and Kids 6-11 (305,000/1.3 rating).
The related app, “The 7D Mine Train,” is the #1 app in the Kids Category for the iPad in over 40 countries with over 1.3 million downloads. It is from Disney Publishing Worldwide.
- On Tuesday, July 8, a second episode introducing recurring guest stars Whoopi Goldberg and Jay Leno grew by double digits among key measures, including by 17% in Total Viewers (638,000 vs. 546,000), by 19% in Kids 2-11 (438,000 vs. 369,000), by 11% in Kids 6-14 (411,000 vs. 369,000), by 17% in Kids 6-11 (357,000 vs. 305,000).
- On Friday, “The 7D” posted series-ratings highs in Total Viewers (721,000), Kids 6-14 (467,000/1.3 rating), Boys 6-14 (246,000/1.3 rating), Kids 6-11 (376,000/1.6 rating), Kids 2-11 (468,000/1.2 rating) and Boys 2-11 (243,000/1.2 rating).
- For its week-long premiere event, “The 7D” out-delivered year-ago time period averages by 12% in Total Viewers (591,000 vs. 526,000), by 24% in Kids 2-11 (388,000 vs. 312,000), by 13% in Kids 6-11 (313,000 vs. 277,000) and by 9% in Kids 6-14 (380,000 vs. 350,000).
“The 7D” stars the voices of Kelly Osbourne, Jess Harnell, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Disney Legend Bill Farmer, Maurice LaMarche, Kevin Michael Richardson, Dee Bradley Baker, Scott Menville, Stephen Stanton, Billy West and Paul Rugg.
The series is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning Tom Ruegger (“Animaniacs”). Tom Warburton (“Codename: Kids Next Door”) serves as co-executive producer. Sherri Stoner (“Pinky and the Brain”) is the story editor and Alfred Gimeno (“Tiny Toon Adventures”), Jeff Gordon (“Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks”) and Charles Visser (“Animaniacs”) are the directors. Meme master Parry Gripp (“Do You Like Waffles?”) is the songwriter and composer for the series and also performs the theme song. The series is a production of Disney Television Animation.
Disney XD is a basic cable channel and multi-platform brand showcasing a compelling mix of live-action and animated programming for Kids age 6-11, hyper-targeting boys and transporting them into worlds full of humor, unexpected fun and inspiring action-filled adventures. 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 81 million households via its basic cable and satellite affiliates. There are 29 Disney XD channels available in 25 languages around the world.
Source: NTI, U.S. ratings, 7/7/14 – 7/11/14, Live + Same Day. Series premieres ranked among all Disney XD/Toon Disney premieres (10/2/00-7/7/14).
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