Now, aiming to refreshen King Babar's image as the 21st Century continues to demand more and more of children's entertainment, Corus Entertainment, Inc. will be partnering with a host of local and international broadcast and production groups to produce a new chapter of Babar. In The New Adventures of Babar, King Babar gets the CG treatment that many classic cartoons/brands have been earning as of late. The computer animated television series won't be available for delivery for another year and a half, but Corus is hoping to inject a new sense of life in the brand, appealing to another, new generation of Babar fans
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"The New Adventures of Babar is sure to inspire a whole new generation of young fans, while rekindling heartwarming memories for their parents, with fun and meaningful stories about growing up and growing older," Doug Murphy, President of Nelvana and General Manager for Corus Kids, commented.
The animated series will introduce King Babar as a grandfather. Although he's no longer out exploring new corners of the jungle as he was in his former years, his eight-year-old grandson on the other hand, is "a one-elephant stampede."
The child has unmistakably inherited his family's knack for the daring, eager to leap well before he looks, exploring hidden passageways, caves, and temples with his assortment of friends. The New Adventures of Babar will reportedly retain some of its educational focus, keeping a close eye on the relationship between children and their elders/grandparents.
Scheduled for broadcast in Fall 2010/Spring 2011, The New Adventures of Babar (26 episodes) will be a co-production between Corus' Nelvana Studio and TeamTO of France. There has already been a few, separate pre-sales of the CG series: TF1 (France), YTV (Canada), and Playhouse Disney (France). Joining Babar's grandson are: Chiku the monkey (granddaughter of King Babar's old friend Zephir), Zawadi the zebra, Monroe the porcupine, and Jake the hyena.
Babar, a traditionally animated television series from the late 1980s through to the early- to mid-1990s, has seen several seasons of programming inclusive of a host of seasonal television/film specials. From Babar and Father Christmas (1985) by MTR Ottawa Productions Ltd., to Babar: The Movie (1989) by Nelvana Limited, In Trust and Ellipse Programme S.A.; from more than sixty-five episodes of television animation produced by Nelvana Studios and Ellipse Programme (1989-1991), to Babar: King of the Elephants (1999) Nelvana, Home Made Movies, S.A. and TMO Film GmbH, to thirteen additional episodes by Nelvana Studios, Ellipse Animation S.N.C., and Kodansha Ltd. (2000-2001)… King Babar has seen his fair share of animated glory, and it appears he's happily stepping aside and letting his grandson take his place.
on Corus Entertainment Inc.: Corus Entertainment Inc. (www.CorusEnt.com) is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, advertising services, television broadcasting, children's book publishing and children's animation. The company's multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Movie Central, Nelvana, and Kids Can Press.
Related Corus Ent. News at Animation Insider:
"Corus Ent. Kids Divisions Restructure" at AnimationInsider.net (02/2009)
Past CG Treatment News at Animation Insider:
"New Master Toy Licensee for 'Thomas & Friends' at AnimationInsider.net (01/2009)
"Bob the CG Builder" at AnimationInsider.net (06/2008)
"'Angelina Ballerina' Earns New CG Treatment" at AnimationInsider.net (04/2008)