Ahead of today’s Warner Bros. Animation studio focus panel at the Annecy Animation Festival, Variety has learned that Cartoon Network Studios (CNS) is working on three new “Adventure Time” properties, including a movie and two new series.
Currently in development, details are still scant regarding the “Adventure Time” movie, but the project features an animation superstar lineup of talent including “Steven Universe” creator Rebecca Sugar, “Over the Garden Wall” co-creator Patrick McHale and “Adventure Time” showrunner Adam Muto. All are “Adventure Time” vets.
Already greenlit at CNS, “Adventure Time: Side Quests” is a kids’ series that will take audiences back in time to when Finn was just a kid who dreamed of epic quests and monster fights with his best friend, Jake the Dog.
Rather than featuring a lore-heavy narrative spread across episodes and seasons, as “Adventure Time” and “Fiona and Cake” did, “Side Quests” will deliver stand-alone episodes starring early versions of fan-favorite characters, including the sometime-villain The Ice King. Longtime “Adventure Time” artist and two-time Emmy-winner Nate Cash is attached to the series
Finally, CNS is currently developing “Adventure Time: Heyo BMO,” a preschool series starring the lovable video game console BMO. After settling into a new neighborhood, BMO and a group of new friends will face challenges that are more appropriate for younger viewers. Two-time Emmy winner and “Adventure Time” writer Adam Muto and storyboard artist Ashlyn Anstee are attached to the project.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav has long insisted that the company’s animation labels will lean heavily on their most popular IPs. Revisiting the Land of Ooo with more “Adventure Time” films and series makes a lot of sense if that’s the company’s plan.