Weird Al Yankovic announced Jan. 25th via his blog that he has signed a deal to develop and direct a live-action TV movie for Cartoon Network.
Although the movie has not officially been green-lit by CN, Al says the script is completed and he’s “about to start a third draft,” adding that “it’s gotten some very positive buzz at the network.”
The movie will feature a “younger, teenage protagonist,” but Al says he will be “making an appearance in it.” Al says he hopes to start shooting the film in the fall, following his 2010 national concert tour (which has not yet been announced).
It’s also worth noting that Al says the movie is the “first thing [he’s] on track to do for [CN].” Al says that CN originally contacted him “to provide some content for them – series, features, animation, live-action… they were open to anything…now all I have to do is start making stuff!”
Update: 1.28.2010 — On Dec. 20, 2009 Al was a guest on Shatner’s Raw Nerve on the Biography Channel where he revealed a more personal side, including discussing for the first time on-camera the loss of his parents in a tragic accident. The complete episode is available in three parts on Biography.com:
Thanks to ShadowWing Tronix of BW Media Spotlight for the heads-up on Weird Al’s appearance on “Shatner’s Raw Nerve.”
Related posts:
– 11.18.2009 — Professor Yankovic Explains Auto-Tune
– 7.03.2009 — Weird Al Yankovic News Round-Up
January 26, 2010 @ 10:45 pm
I’m disappointed that it’s not a cartoon, but only because it’s on CARTOON Network. Otherwise, I’ll probably be watching it.
January 27, 2010 @ 2:20 pm
Same here, but I’m confident that this project is at least in good hands. And Al’s as much a toon fanatic as fans like us are. I’m sure if he can work it into the script, it will include animation somehow. And if not for the film, perhaps the other projects Al mentions might be animated too.
I’ve given up debating over the whole non-Cartoon Network issue. Live-action and younger demographics are what CN needs to compete or it will continue to get pounded by Nick and Disney. And it’s going to be trial and error for them until they find a balance. TV and even cable networks are rapidly becoming extinct anyway thanks to online streaming and on-demand content.