Turner Broadcasting and MGM Worldwide Television are producing a new Pink Panther animated series. Cartoon Network channels worldwide will begin airing 26 half-hour episodes of Pink Panther & Pals in the fall of 2009. The show is being produced jointly by MGM and Rubicon, a Jordan-based animation, edutainment and multimedia company. Production is taking place in both Los Angeles and Amman, Jordan.
The new series will feature a number of classic characters from the original series, including Ant and Aardvark, and new characters Horse and Dog will join the Pink Panther in his daily adventures. The brightly colored feline will be portrayed as a rambunctious teenager who, along with his friends, gets into all sorts of mischievous capers. The Pink Panther will also interact with his pompous and problematic arch-nemesis, Big Nose, who always tries to spoil the party.
‘The character is drawn a little younger to depict the Pink Panther as a teenager, although he will be instantly recognizable with his signature walk and devil-may-care attitude,’ says series exec producer David Corbett.
MGM plans to support Pink Panther & Pals with a dedicated licensing and merchandising initiative involving licensed apparel, stationery and back-to-school items, toys, publishing and interactive games. The property will have its retail launch in late 2009.
