Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures just announced that there's going to be a Rugrats revival, which will see old gang back together in a new series plus a live-action adaptation.
The animated series, one of Nickelodeon's most popular child-oriented franchises back in the '90s, has officially received a 26-episode season order from the network; Meanwhile, Paramount Players, the new film division created to develop projects based on Viacom properties, has greenlit the live-action film, which will feature CGI characters.
Both the TV series and film will see Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie, and Angelica take on new adventures. There will be a bunch of new characters as well. It remains uncertain whether other beloved characters, such as their parents, will also be returning, although that's highly likely.
Rugrats Animated Series Revival
Original Rugrats creators Arlene Klasky, Gábor Csupó, and Paul Germain are returning as executive producers. It will be produced in Nickelodeon's Burbank, California animation studios, with production already underway, as Variety reports. The network plans to announce more details in the coming months, such as the official air date and casting.
"Rugrats is hands-down one of the most celebrated cartoons in TV history, and we are thrilled for a whole new audience to meet these iconic characters in brand-new adventures," said Viacom Media Networks COO Sarah Levy. "What was true in 1991 when the original show premiered is still true today: kids are fascinated with the world of babies. We can't wait for today's kids to meet Tommy, Chuckie and pals."
Rugrats Movie Release Date
The Rugrats film will be written by Family Guy executive producer David Goodman. It is scheduled to premiere on Nov. 13, 2020.
"Kids who grew up with Tommy Pickles and the Rugrats crew will now be able to share that experience with their own children," said Paramount Players president Brian Robbins.
Rugrats isn't the only beloved franchise Nickelodeon is bringing back: this past March, the network confirmed that it was going to revive Blue's Clues, giving it a 20-episode order. Nickelodeon confirmed it will have a "refreshed signature look."
Both revivals are part of the network's plan to develop 800 hours of programming across platforms in 2018, up from 20 percent compared with the previous year. It's also a massive effort to reclaim ratings, as viewership has eroded due to audiences looking elsewhere for entertainment.
Nickelodeon also aired an all-new Hey Arnold! Special last year, and has announced the return of two more iconic franchises — Invader Zim and Rocko's Modern Life.
