Cartoon Network has announced three new originals which are currently under various stages of development and production. These new originals will feature four animated icons, and it includes the development of a short-form Tom and Jerry pilot, which sees for the first time the classic cat-and-mouse duo transplanted to the Asia-Pacific region.
The production of Lamput Meets Tuzki, a special starring two well-known characters hailing from India and China, has also commenced, while the network has confirmed that work will soon begin on the fourth season of Lamput.
"Audiences have been laughing at Tom and Jerry’s chase antics for over 80 years. But this is the first time we’re looking at transporting the frenemies to our region, and reimagining their antics in an authentic and distinctly local context. We are working closely with Warner Bros Animation and Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank to bring these new adventures to life," said WarnerMedia head of kids APAC Leslie Lee.
In 2020, the legendary tales of the cat-and-mouse duo were launched in India with a first ever “thought-over” commentary in regional languages of Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The local-language narration track added another layer of immersive, localised storytelling and was met with a great response from fans.
Lamput Meets Tuzki is a seven-minute special that brings together for the first time two legendary WarnerMedia IP created in India and China. Tuzki, a Chinese rabbit, is a hit with young adults and has found a wide following on instant messaging apps, consumer products and through an animated series. In 2018, celebrated Indian fashion designer Manish Arora created a Tuzki-inspired lifestyle collection that premiered at the prestigious Paris Fashion Week. The collection was available in China and India, expanding Tuzki’s popularity well beyond its homeland.
Lamput, a gooey orange blob, and master of disguise, is an Emmy-nominated Cartoon Network original property born in India. This non-dialogue, slapstick chase comedy by Mumbai-based Vaibhav Studios won the Best Children’s Programme at Asian Academy Creative Awards 2020, for the third time in a row. It was also nominated for an International Kids Emmy award, a first for any Indian production.
“Guided by Carlene Tan, who heads up our original productions for kids APAC, these two milestone projects are testament to our commitment to authentic storytelling. We look forward to continuing to champion Cartoon Network’s mission to unify our fans through more laughter, and even bigger and bolder adventures,” added Lee.
The Lamput Meets Tuzki special is scheduled for mid-2021, with more Lamput adventures to come. Cartoon Network Asia Pacific has also greenlit a brand new fourth season of Lamput, which will go into production in the second half of 2021.
