Motion Pictures
June 12, 2000
“The Powerpuff Girls” To Bust Onto Big Screen; Cartoon Network And Warner Bros. Pictures Join Forces For Animated Feature Film For Summer 2002 Release
(June 12, 2000 – Burbank, CA) - Warner Bros. Pictures and Cartoon Network will join forces to bring the animated feature film based on Cartoon Network’s hit series, “The Powerpuff Girls,” to the big screen, it was announced today by Betty Cohen, President of Cartoon Network Worldwide, and Lorenzo di Bonaventura, President, Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Supervised by the show’s creator Craig McCracken, the film will be the first-ever feature based on an original Cartoon Network show. This collaboration also marks the first production of a full-length animated film at the newly opened Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California. “The Powerpuff Girls” is targeted for a summer 2002 release by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Nominated for an Emmy Award in 1999 and named one of TV Guide’s “Top 10 New Kids Shows,” “The Powerpuff Girls” airs weeknights at 8:30 p.m. on Cartoon Network. Dainty, daring and downright dynamite, the Powerpuff Girls were created by Professor Utonium when he mixed a formula of sugar, spice and everything nice to conjure the perfect little girls. But he accidentally supercharged his concoction by adding a mysterious fourth ingredient, Chemical X, resulting in the world’s cutest superheroes: Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup, the Powerpuff Girls. Now, every time danger threatens their home of Townsville, these crayon-carrying crimefighters fly in to save the day. And like good girls, they always do it before bedtime.
“From the first time we saw the original 'Powerpuff Girls' short back in 1995, we knew we had special characters who would strike a chord with kids and teens today,” Cohen said. “The combination of great animation, timely girl power and the show’s nod to the hot design style of Japanese animation has enabled ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ to hit on all cylinders, from television to merchandising and now to movies.”
“‘The Powerpuff Girls’ has become one of television’s hottest and most critically recognized properties,” di Bonaventura added. “Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup are icons of cool and we are delighted to work with Cartoon Network in bringing their unique ‘girl power’ to the big screen for the first time.”
“The Powerpuff Girls” regularly ranks as one of the top-rated programs on the Cartoon Network, with broad appeal among both boys and girls and a loyal following from teens and adults. The Powerpuff Girls toys, apparel and other merchandise have skyrocketed in popularity in retail outlets nationwide.
Cartoon Network, currently seen in 63.4 million U.S. homes, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the best in animated entertainment. Drawing from the world’s largest cartoon library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” “Mike, Lu & Og,” “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Ed, Edd n Eddy,” “Johnny Bravo,” “Cow and Chicken,” “Dexter’s Laboratory” and “Cartoon Cartoons.” Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported cable’s highest-rated networks. Cartoon Network’s Web site is located at http://CartoonNetwork.com.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry. # # #