More Nick: ViacomCBS Int'l Unveils NickWatch by Nickelodeon!
Originally published: October 15, 2021.
Friday, October 15, 2021
Trackimo to Showcase 'NickWatch by Nickelodeon' at GITEX 2021 in Dubai
Nick News Brief: Trackimo, a US-based Internet of Things (IoT) solutions provider, will present the ‘NickWatch by Nickelodeon’, the first connected smartwatch for children featuring characters, games, and content from Nickelodeon at GITEX 2021, running Sun, 17 Oct 2021 – Thu, 21 Oct 2021 in Dubai! Set to be released during early 2022, the NickWatch harnesses Trackimo's advanced IoT technology centred on real-time location tracking and motions sensors via a dedicated mobile application. To find out more about NickWatch by Nickelodeon, click here!
SpongeBob Gets His Own Island Named After Him in the Simeulue Regency District of Indonesia
During the intro of Nickelodeon's beloved animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, viewers see a desert island adorned with palm trees, just before the camera splashes down beneath the waves to Bikini Bottom. It's an iconic image that is featured in nearly every episode, and widely believed to to based on Bikini Atoll, a real island that's part of the Marshall Islands in the Pacific Ocean. However, SpongeBob has now got himself his very own island in the Indian Ocean!
The government of Simeulue Regency, a regency in the Aceh special region of Indonesia, has announced that it will be naming an island after the world-renowned sea sponge!
The newly christened SpongeBob Island is a island formed by rocks. The distance is approximately two hours drive from downtown Sinabang, the capital of Simeulue Regency.
The island is also called the island of Anudaiyan Balong and is known by the local community as a resting place for storks - which is fitting, as when SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy, Squidward and Mr. Krabs go above aground, they're attacked by seagulls. The environment is still very natural and not many tourist facilities have been developed. But there are enough local tourists who know and visit it.
"The condition is still natural, no special facilities have been built. This island is visited a lot, especially during holidays. The island is not far from the beach and near the road," said village head Bunon Alinur.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the island would have built a number of supporting facilities, but the plan failed. "If the Covid-19 outbreak ends, we will try to rebuild the island's tourist facilities in the hope of becoming a mainstay destination in Simeulue Regency," said Alinur.
From Tempo:
Melihat Pulau Spongebob di Simeulue Aceh yang Jadi Tempat Istirahat Bangau
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dalam serial animasi Nickelodeon Spongebob Squarepants, penonton bisa melihat sebuah pulau yang ditumbuhi pohon kelapa dan berada di atas Bikini Bottom. Pulau seperti itu ternyata ada di Kabupaten Simeulue Aceh.
Pemerintah Kabupaten Simeulue pun akan menjadikan Pulau Spongebob itu sebagai salah satu andalan wisata di kabupaten kepulauan yang berada di Samudera Hindia tersebut. "Pulau ini berada Desa Bunon, Kecamatan Teupah Barat, Kabupaten Simeulue, Aceh. Kini, pulau ini menjadi destinasi favorit wisatawan yang berkunjung ke Simeulue," kata Kepala Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Simeulue Asmanuddin, Kamis, 14 Oktober 2021.
Pulau Spongebob merupakan pulau yang dibentuk oleh batu karang. Jaraknya kurang lebih dua jam perjalanan dari pusat kota Sinabang, ibu kota Kabupaten Simeulue.
Pulau itu disebut juga pulau Anudaiyan Balong atau tempat beristirahat bangau oleh masyarakat setempat. Lingkungannya masih sangat alami dan belum banyak pembangunan fasilitas wisata. Namun sudah cukup banyak wisatawan lokal yang mengenal dan mengunjunginya.
"Kondisinya masih alami, belum ada fasilitas khusus yang dibangun. Pulau ini banyak dikunjungi, terutama saat hari libur. Pulau tersebut tidak jauh dari bibir pantai dan dekat jalan," kata Kepala Desa Bunon Alinur.
Sebelum pandemi Covid-19, kata Alinur, pulau itu akan dibangun sejumlah fasilitas pendukung, namun rencana tersebut gagal. "Jika nanti wabah Covid-19 berakhir, kami upayakan kembali pembangunan fasilitas wisata pulau tersebut dengan harapan menjadi destinasi andalan di Kabupaten Simeulue," kata Alinur.
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From CNN Indonesia:
Pulau SpongeBob di Simeulue, Sepetak 'Bikini Bottom' di Aceh
Jakarta, CNN Indonesia -- Sudah menjadi rahasia umum kalau SpongeBob SquarePants dan kawan-kawannya menghuni Bikini Bottom. Dan di Indonesia, pemukiman yang mungkin terlihat sama ada di Kabupaten Simeulue, Aceh.
Tersebutlah Pulau SpongeBob di sana. Sepetak pulau ini berada di perairan Samudera Hindia, tepatnya di tepi Pantai Angkeo.
Pulau Spongebob di Aceh ini bernama Pulau Anudaiyan Balong, atau pulau tempat beristirahat kawanan burung bangau seperti yang dikenal masyarakat setempat.
Terbentuk dari batu karang, pulau ini ditumbuhi beberapa pohon kelapa. Jika air laut sedang surut, wisatawan bisa jalan kaki menuju pulau itu.
Pulau SpongeBob berlokasi kurang lebih dua jam perjalanan dari pusat kota Sinabang, ibu kota Kabupaten Simeulue.
"Pulau ini berada Desa Bunon, Kecamatan Teupah Barat, Kabupaten Simeulue, Aceh. Kini, pulau ini menjadi destinasi favorit wisatawan yang berkunjung ke Simeulue," Kepala Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Simeulue Asmanuddin, mengutip ANTARA pada Jumat (15/10),
Asmanuddin lanjut mengatakan, Pulau Spongebob itu akan dimasukkan dalam rencana induk pengembangan pariwisata daerah Kabupaten Simeulue.
"Selain pulau tersebut, kami juga mengembangkan objek wisata lainnya, sehingga nanti Pulau Simeulue menjadi destinasi pariwisata di Provinsi Aceh," lanjutnya.
Sementara itu, Kepala Desa Bunon Alinur mengatakan objek wisata Pulau Spongebob dikenal masyarakat sebagai tempat peristirahatan kawanan burung bangau.
"Kondisinya masih alami, belum ada fasilitas khusus yang dibangun. Pulau ini banyak dikunjungi, terutama saat hari libur. Pulau tersebut tidak jauh dari bibir pantai dan dekat jalan," kata Alinur.
Ombak di sekitar Pulau Spongebob terbilang cukup menantang, sehingga potensial dijadikan destinasi wisata surfing.
Sebelum pandemi Covid-19, kata Alinur, di Pulau SpongeBob akan dibangun sejumlah fasilitas pendukung wisata.
Namun, rencana tersebut gagal karena berlakunya aturan PPKM yang menyurutkan kedatangan wisatawan.
"Jika nanti pandemi virus Corona berakhir, kami upayakan kembali pembangunan fasilitas wisata pulau tersebut dengan harapan menjadi destinasi andalan di Kabupaten Simeulue," pungkasnya.
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From kumparan:
Pulau Spongebob Ini Jadi Andalan Wisata di Simeuleu, Aceh
Sebagai negara kepulauan, Indonesia tentunya memiliki banyak pulau yang bisa dikunjungi untuk menjadi destinasi wisata para turis. Salah satunya pulau yang berada di Aceh ini.
Pulau Spongebob berada di Desa Bunon, Kecamatan Teupah Barat, Kabupaten Simeulue, Aceh, bisa kalian kunjungi dengan menempuh 2 jam perjalanan dari pusat Kota Sinabang.
Dilansir Antara, Pulau Spongebob masuk ke dalam rencana induk pengembangan pariwisata daerah Simeuleu, Aceh, dan akan dikelola dengan baik, karena pulau itu jadi wisata andalan dan tempat favorit ketika para wisatawan saat berkunjung ke Simeuleu.
Kepala Dinas Pariwisata dan Kebudayaan Simeuleu, Asmanuddin, mengungkapkan bukan hanya pulau tersebut yang dikembangkan. Tetapi juga objek wisata lainnya, sehingga Pulau Simeuleu bisa jadi destinasi wisata di Provinsi Aceh.
Pulau Spongebob ini dikenal oleh masyarakat dengan nama Anudaiyan Balong atau tempat beristirahat bangau.
"Kondisinya masih alami, belum ada fasilitas umum yang dibangun, banyak wisatawan yang berkunjung khususnya di hari libur," kata kepala Desa Bunon, Alinur.
Menurut Kepala Desa Bunon itu, pulau ini mirip dengan pulau yang ada di serial animasi Spongebob Squarepants.
Alinur pun menambahkan kalau pembangunan fasilitas akan diupayakan, dengan harapan Pulau Spongebob menjadi wisata andalan di Simeuleu.
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Additional source: Utusan Digital.
Wes Nelson Joins SlimeFest 2021 UK Line-Up
Wes Nelson Joins the SLIMEFEST 2021 Line-Up
Nickelodeon UK and VisitBlackpool bring Slime, Music & Mayhem back to Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Arena on 16th – 18th October
Wes completes the final announcement completing the amazing line-up across the weekend
Tickets on sale now at www.nickslimefest.co.uk
#SlimefestUK @NickelodeonUK
Wes Nelson, who smashed onto the scene in 2020 with his Top 3 hit ‘See Nobody’, joins the Slimefest 2021 line-up as the final announcement completing the amazing line-up across the weekend. Wes Nelson will be joining hosts Jordan and Perri, Max and Harvey and Holly H to perform to fans across both Saturday 16th October and Sunday the 17th October.
Update (15/10) - Unfortunately due to illness, Holly H is unable to attend and host SlimeFest this weekend. She apologises and sends her love to all her fans and is looking forward to hopefully seeing them all again soon. The show will still go ahead with Jordan & Perri and Max & Harvey hosting and amazing performances from the previously announced line-up. Get well soon, Holly!
Additionally, Nickelodeon UK & Ireland will premiere Slimefest 2021, a brand new special bring all the slime, music and mayhem from this year's SlimeFest to viewers at home on Friday 5th November 2021 at 6:00pm!
Wes will be joining number 1 artist John Newman and BAFTA award-winning dance group Diversity, who were confirmed to perform earlier this year. Newman will be joining the SLIMEFEST mayhem for the very first time, while iconic dance group Diversity, who will be performing across all 6 shows, will be returning for a fifth slime-filled year at The Arena, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. They'll be joined by Headliner Fleur East, reigning The Voice champion Blessing Annatoria, and KiD RAiN.
SLIMEFEST is presented by Nickelodeon in partnership with VisitBlackpool and will be hosted by Diversity’s Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, as well as BRAND-NEW hosts, social media stars and singers Max & Harvey, and TikTok sensation Holly H. The six-show extravaganza will kick-off Saturday 16th October with shows at 1pm and 6pm across the days and will end with a blast Monday 18th October. Due to extra demand, more tickets have now been released to the Saturday and Sunday shows. You won’t want to miss it!
Tickets are on sale now. Families can purchase tickets and exclusive show merch as well as find out more information at www.nickslimefest.co.uk
Over 100,000 people have attended related SLIMEFEST events across the globe in the US, Australia, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain.
Current SLIMEFEST 2021 line-up:
Saturday 16 October 2021
Hosted by: Jordan & Perri, Max and Harvey and Holly H
Kid Rain
Diversity
Fleur East
Blessing Annatoria
Wes Nelson
Sunday 17th October 2021
Hosted by: Jordan & Perri, Max and Harvey and Holly H
Kid Rain
Diversity
Blessing Annatoria
Wes Nelson
Monday 18 October 2021
Hosted by: Jordan & Perri, Max and Harvey and Holly H
Kid Rain
Diversity
John Newman
Blessing Annatoria
Please be sure to check your local school half term dates, to ensure your child's school is on break at this time.
Oh, and shhh, Nick has have a super slimy, big green secret to tell you. There is only ONE way for children 8-15 years old to experience the SLIME and get you up-close to your favourite stars, and that is with a SLIME PIT ticket. Accompanying parents/guardians & younger children can experience the fun with a seated ticket or a standing adult ticket (for adults and kids 15yrs +)
Plus, you don’t have to wait until the show starts for the fun to begin; every SLIMEFEST ticket also includes a Pleasure Beach Pass, or you can choose to purchase a Pleasure Beach Wristband which gives you unlimited riding all day. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to the U.K.'s only Nickelodeon Land!
What are you waiting for? Join Nick for the biggest SLIME-soaked event of the year!
SLIMEFEST marks the return of Nickelodeon's annual music festival for kids, following SLIMEFEST 2020 being postponed due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. It's currently unknown whether Nickelodeon will still be hosting SLIMEFEST in London, as initially planned.
The Pleasure Beach Arena will strictly follow Government and Health Authority guidelines. A whole range of Covid-19 procedures and protocols have been implemented to ensure the safety of guests, staff and performers. The wearing of face coverings may be required in designated areas and organisers will update ticket holders closer to the event with any specific procedures relating to Covid-19. SLIMEFEST will be compliant with any Covid-19 regulations applicable at the time.
If SLIMEFEST 2021 is unable to proceed due to Government or Health Authority guidance, Nickelodeon will transfer your booking to an alternative date or refund your booking. The terms and conditions relating to this are available at https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/whats-on/slimefest/.
Nickelodeon
The home of SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, PAW Patrol and Nella the Princess Knight, Nickelodeon UK & Ireland Network is available in over 13 million cable and satellite homes and now reaches more than 10 million viewers a month. Launched in 1993, the top-performing Nickelodeon network comprises seven dedicated entertainment channels for kids aged 4-15 and their families: Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon HD, Nickelodeon +1, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., Nick Jr. +1 and Nick Jr. Too. The entertainment company has built a diverse multi-platform business by putting kids first in everything it does – Kids Rule! Content is at the core of the business with critically-acclaimed and hugely-popular television programming from the UK and around the world. In addition to the quality television programmes, Nickelodeon also produces bespoke content available online and on Nick Play, as well as consumer product and recreation opportunities such as the UK’s first-ever Nick theme park, Nickelodeon Land and the slimiest music festival for kids, SLIMEFEST UK.
VisitBlackpool
VisitBlackpool is the tourism arm of Blackpool Council and is tasked with promoting the UK's most popular holiday destination to leisure and business visitors, both domestically and internationally.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the UK’s favourite amusement park and is also home to the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land. Family thrills and memories to last a lifetime are assured on Nickelodeon Land with 12 rides, a whole host of your favourite Nickelodeon characters and live entertainment across the six acre site.
More Nick: Nickelodeon UK Announces The Nick Experience, A New Immersive Pop-Up Event for Kids and Families!
Originally published: September 24, 2021.
Building Bikini Bottom With Kenny Pittenger | SpongeBob BingePants
Building Bikini Bottom With Kenny Pittenger | SpongeBob BingePants
Spotlight on Music with Jeremy Zuckerman and Hrishikesh Hirway | Avatar: Braving the Elements
Spotlight on Music with Jeremy Zuckerman and Hrishikesh Hirway | Avatar: Braving the Elements
Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for October 15, 2021 | Nickelodeon
Classic Rugrats Comic Strip for October 15, 2021 | Nickelodeon
Stream all new CG-animated Rugrats series, exclusively on Paramount+!
Follow these comics and their take on real episodes of the show and their own spin on hilarious adventures.
Read more Rugrats comic strips!: https://www.creators.com/features/rugrats
More Nick: Paramount Plus Renews the All-New 'Rugrats' for Season 2!
Overlord and the Underwoods | Behind the Scenes Set Tour! | Nickelodeon UK
Overlord and the Underwoods | Behind the Scenes Set Tour! | Nickelodeon UK
Take a look behind the scenes of brand new show, Overlord and the Underwoods with cast members Ari Resnick (Weaver Underwood), Kamaia Fairburn (Willow Underwood), Darryl Hinds (Jim Underwood) and Patrice Goodman (Flower Underwood).
Watch Overlord and the Underwoods on Nickelodeon!
Back to The Greenhouse | Season 1, Episode 16 | TeenNick Israel
It's time to head back to The Greenhouse! Enjoy these clips from season one, episode 16!
החממה: נשף בחזרה לעתיד | מתוך פרק 16| טין ניק
ערוץ טין ניק
מתוך החממה - עונה 1, פרק 16 | רק בניקלודיאון לצופי יס
#טיןניק #החממה #פרק16
החממה: דניאל בטוח שאלפי נגדו | מתוך פרק 16| טין ניק
החממה: דניאל מקנא | מתוך פרק 16| טין ניק
החממה: מתארגנים לנשף חנוכה | מתוך פרק 16| טין ניק
החממה: איימי חוזרת | מתוך פרק 16| טין ניק
Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween FULL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🍬 Netflix Jr
Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween FULL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🍬 Netflix Jr
The Sharkpack gets ready for Halloween with the spooky legend of the "Fearsome Fog" — and Sharkdog must save trick-or-treating from a slimy sea monster!
DIY Sharkdog Candy Bucket: Halloween Craft for Kids 🍭 Netflix Jr
Let’s go trick or treating with Sharkdog! Here’s how to make our favorite part shark, part dog friend into a DIY candy carrying craft. What better way to celebrate Halloween than with a candy bucket that’s part bucket, part Sharkdog?
Sharkdog Stops the Slimy Spooky Sea Monster 😱 Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween | Netflix Jr
It’s a Sharkdog Halloween and the Sharkpack attempts to catch the the the spooky sea monster, but they quickly get in over their costumed heads! It’s Sharkdog to the rescue!! Sharkdog's Fintastic Halloween is now streaming on Netflix!
Watch Sharkdog on Netflix!
Originally published: October 08, 2021.
'The Scariest Smurf' Promo | The Smurfs Halloween Special | Nickelodeon [Updated W/ Sneak Peek]
Tune into the fangtastic The Smurfs Halloween special "The Scariest Smurf", premiering Friday, October 15, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT, only on Nickelodeon! Check out the spooktacular promo below!
In the brand new The Smurfs Halloween episode "The Scariest Smurf," on Halloween, Scaredy finds himself turned into a monster and inadvertently wreaks havoc on the Smurfs. (#106A)
Smurfs Halloween ROBOT Costume Gone Wrong! 🤖 | Nickelodeon Cartoon Universe
Happy Halloween! The Smurfs are celebrating with a costume party until Clumsy's wild and wacky robot costume gets out of control! Check out this full scene from a brand-new special Halloween episode of The Smurfs!
#Smurfs #Halloween #HalloweenCostume #Robot #Monsters #HalloweenSpecial #SmurfsEpisode
What are you going as for Halloween? 🎃 new Smurfs 7:30p/6:30c! pic.twitter.com/8Blbqml34u
— Nickel🎃deon (@Nickelodeon) October 13, 2021
Check out Nickelodeon's HallowScream highlights here!
Originally published: October 09, 2021.
Nickelodeon to Premiere New 'The Loud House' and 'The Casagrandes' Halloween Specials in October 2021
Get ready for a night of frights are Nickelodeon premieres brand new Halloween episodes of The Loud House and The Casagrandes on Friday, October 15 from 7:45 p.m. ET/PT!
7:45 p.m. - The Loud House - Fright Bite: When a vampire moves into Royal Woods, Lucy must convince him to turn the Mortician's Club into vampires. (#524A)
8:00 p.m. - The Casagrandes - Curse of the Candy Goblin: When Carl takes trick or treating too far, he must return his candy to the neighborhood goblin. (#303) Special guest star Jim Conroy.
Nickelodeon will also air Lucy Loud's Halloween Spook-Tacular, a brand new 11-minute compilation in which Lucy Loud breaks down her top 10 most spookiest moments for Halloween for the Loud House family on Friday, October 22 at 8:00 p.m.! The special was recently released on YouTube:
Middlemost Post + The Loud House + Rugrats Promo - October 22, 2021 (Nickelodeon U.S.)
Watch The Loud House Movie on Netflix!
Subscribe to the official The Loud House & The Casagrandes YouTube channel!: https://at.nick.com/LoudCasaSubscribe
Originally published: September 25, 2021.
Culture Fly to Launch 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Subscription Box in October 2021
Culture Fly, the folks behind The Nick Box and SpongeBob: The Bikini Bottom Box has announced that their newest subscription box is COMING SOON!
Introducing the Avatar: The Last Airbender Box. A quarterly subscription packed full of 7-10 exclusive, never-before-seen Avatar goodies that are officially licensed by Nickelodeon - and maybe even some cabbages, too!
Pre-orders for this box will begin late October, so stay tuned! But in the meantime, make sure that you are signed up to the newsletter to get all the details! Visit https://thenickbox.com/pages/avatar-the-last-airbender-box for details!
P.S. Wanna know the first theme? Book One: Water! YIP YIP!
Watch Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra on Paramount+ and Netflix!
Listen to the brand new podcast, Avatar: Braving the Elements!: http://nickalive.blogspot.com/search/label/Avatar%3A%20Braving%20the%20Elements
More Nick: Nickelodeon Establishes Avatar Studios; Announces Animated 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' Movie!
Originally published: October 14, 2021 at 23:00 BST.
'Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl' Developer Is Taking Fighter Requests on Twitter
Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl recently exploded onto the scene, earning compliments from critics for its fun gameplay and setting its sights on taking down the undisputed king of platform fighters, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Now that the game has fully launched, developer Ludosity is looking for fans to start suggesting DLC characters, asking them to respond with their hopes on Twitter.
The launch roster for Nick All-Star Brawl features 20 characters from some of Nickelodeon's most famous animated series, such as Danny Phantom, Invader Zim, and multiple Avatar: The Last Airbender and SpongeBob SquarePants characters, however, the game is missing some stand-out nostalgic favorites. Its creators have hinted they're not done there and will add more fighters in the future.
The most exciting thing about that is Ludosity doesn't appear to have decided who those fighters are going to be, at least not all of them, and has resorted to asking players who they want to see via Twitter.
Retweet to get us to add your favorite DLC
— Ludosity (@Ludosity) October 13, 2021
Ludosity tweeted “retweet to get us to add your favorite DLC” and naturally, players and perhaps even future players of All-Star Brawl have been pitching everyone and anyone who isn't already in the game. Characters from Jenny from My Life as a Teenage Reboot, Jimmy Neutron from The Adventures of Jimmy Neuton: Boy Genius, Dora from Dora the Explorer, Timmy Turner from Fairly OddParents, and even Blue from Blue's Clues, as well as Heffer from Rocko's Modern Life with a Chokey Chicken level (that was my contribution, anyway) are among the suggestions to have been made so far. How seriously Ludosity will take those suggestions remains to be seen.
Odds are at least some of All-Star Brawl's DLC is already in place. The one thing Ludosity has over Smash Ultimate in that regard is people won't be demanding non-Nickelodeon characters - although the game's developers have hinted that Goku from Dragon Ball Z could be in the game at some point. As Masahiro Sakurai outlined, getting Sora into Smash was a move years in the making. The same goes for Minecraft's Steve and probably all of the non-Nintendo characters added to the Smash Ultimate roster.
Rather than add a slew of new fighters right away, Ludosity and GameMill are busy perfecting the ones that are already available. The game's first major patch has already been applied on some platforms and largely aims to balance some of the characters who have unintentionally powerful moves. Sandy's lock jab, for example, which allowed her to continually hit an opponent before they could respond has now been fixed.
Players seem pleased to know that they may yet see their favorite characters making their fighting game debut — and there's reason to believe those new characters are already in the works.
Although the Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl developer is just now asking for DLC character suggestions, it seems likely that the first round of DLC is already in development. Around the time of the game's launch, datamined Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl files teased characters and stages not currently in the game, including the Shredder from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Garfield. One of the developers said that the characters in these files aren't necessarily being added in the future, but these files at least show that Ludosity is already thinking ahead.
Ludosity has also called out Nintendo for not listening to fans (and competitive players) when updating and developing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, so the developer seems set on making a name of itself in the competitive scene. With ambitions that high, Ludosity will need to keep updating and polishing Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl. Ludosity has not announced when players can expect DLC characters, nor has it announced any kind of season pass, so players might have to wait a bit. For now, Nintendo fans can continue to tweet at Ludosity asking for El Tigre to be added to the roster.
Full Coverage: Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl!
Up-and-Coming Actor Andrew Bennett Auditions for Voice Over Work With Nickelodeon
Nick News Brief: Andrew Bennett, a 10-year-old actor from Springfield, Massachusetts, had a audition on Wednesday, October 13 to do voiceover work for Nickelodeon! The up-and-coming actor is set to star in the upcoming family comedy, The Junkyard Dogs opposite Denise Richards, slated for release during mid-2022.
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Bennett is signed with DDO Kids, a talent agency out of New York and Los Angeles, works with JC Models and Actors of Connecticut and takes vocal lessons and acting classes. Locals may even spot him singing the National Anthem at the Wilbraham Falcons football game, as well as Olaf in St. Micheal Community Theater’s upcoming show, Frozen.
Originally published: October 15, 2021.
Nickelodeon's Yashar Kassai and Sung Shin Named in Variety's 10 Animators to Watch List
Variety has named Yashar Kassai (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Chapter movie) and Sung Shin (Star Trek: Prodigy) in the publication's 10 Animators to Watch in 2021 list, its annual celebration of up-and-coming animators! Read their bios below, and make sure to check out all the fantastic animators who made this year's 10 Animators to Watch list on Variety.com! A huge congrats Yashar and Shin!
Yashar Kassai
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| Photo : Courtesy of Yashar Kassai |
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Chapter”
Growing up watching “Star Trek” fostered a love of sci-fi in Dallas native Kassai. But although he was a fan, it wasn’t until his sophomore year in college that he realized he could have a career in animation.
He moved to Los Angeles nine years ago to pursue his dream. “I couldn’t be one of those people without a job. I was too afraid,” he says. “So I locked that in from a distance first and then came here with some sense of security in mind at least.”
After a stint at Sony, where he worked on “The Emoji Movie,” among others, Kassai segued to Nickelodeon, where is now production designer on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Chapter.” The film is scheduled to come out in 2023.
“I have loved that franchise since I was a kid,” he says, confessing that Raphael is his fave. “I have bedsheets and lunch boxes and T-shirts and socks. But now I am trying to re-create a unique interpretation that is not too distant from the original franchise that we all know and are familiar with, and also make it fresh.”
To make it new while not jettisoning what made “Ninja Turtles” so beloved, Kassai says, “you anchor yourself enough in the familiar elements of it so that it is easily recognizable but then you either add or enhance some of the existing charm of
the franchise.”
With modern animation tools and 3D, he feels a responsibility to make something cool for the new movie similar to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The Mitchells vs. the Machines.”
“The franchise deserves that, I think.” — Shalini Dore
Sung Shin
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| Photo : Courtesy of Shin Sung |
“Star Trek: Prodigy”
Shin brings to Nickelodeon’s “Star Trek: Prodigy” a love for telling a story filled with adventure and characters that embody the franchise’s “humanistic” philosophy and inclusiveness.
But, there’s also humor in the stories as well. “It’s really fun,” Shin says, “the comedy is not forced and it comes from within the characters.”
Shin took a roundabout route to the animation world. He studied English literature in college with the aim to become a writer. “Comparatively, to most other animators, I do feel like I started a little bit later.”
Shin took classes at community college in art, where he was encouraged to take his art career further, and attended CalArts for a year. “I was in love with hand-drawn animation at the time, and 2D animation was kind of shutting down in the U.S., so I went overseas to [work at] Studio Mir” in South Korea, where he worked on “The Legend of Korra,” among other projects.
His connections there led him to animation jobs in the U.S., including “Avengers Assemble,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Young Justice” and “Voltron: Legendary Defender” while also directing live-action shorts.
Animation “is just a different form of storytelling, but it all connects,” he says. “I do kind of see myself as a filmmaker slash storyteller first.”
Does Shin worry about leading a new iteration of such a beloved franchise with devoted fans? The team behind the show is confident that the characters and stories capture the spirit of “Star Trek” — “we have amazing writers” he says, and credits exec producer Ben Hibon with his visionary leadership.
He’s continuing to take classes and develop his voice as a filmmaker. — Carole Horst
A huge congrats again to Yashar and Shin! You can catch Star Trek: Prodigy from October 28 on Paramount+, followed by a run on Nickelodeon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Chapter is set to leap into theaters with a mighty COWABUNGA in August 2023!
Remember to check out all the awesome animators who made this year's 10 Animators to Watch list on Variety.com!
Variety will celebrate its seventh annual 10 Animators to Watch with a virtual event on Oct. 19 in partnership with Nickelodeon. The event will also honor Academy Award-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller with the annual Creative Impact in Animation Award.
Lord and Miller have spent their careers pushing boundaries to find new ways of telling unique visual stories and are responsible for some of animation’s biggest franchises, including “The Lego Movie” and Academy Award-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” This year they produced “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” which was released on Netflix in production with Sony Pictures Animation.
Guests will receive a virtual experience kit curated by Variety and Nickelodeon. Kits will include food and beverage items, and a pair of keepsake wine glasses.
“I am so excited that we can all come together for the seventh year to see Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch event continue to grow and celebrate animation. A huge congratulations to the 10 artists spotlighted, especially Nickelodeon’s very own Sung Shin and Yashar Kassai for their incredible work on ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Next Chapter,’ respectively,” said Ramsey Naito, president of animation at Paramount and Nickelodeon.
“Phil and Chris have made one of the biggest impacts on our industry with so many landmark achievements, and I’m honored to present them with this year’s Creative Impact Award as they continue to create the very best work on screen,” Naito continued.
This year’s 10 Animators to Watch include:
Joaquín Cociña & Cristóbal León (“The Wolf House”)
Chris Copeland & Justin Copeland (“Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts”)
Aphton Corbin (“Twenty Something”)
Emma de Swaef & Marc James Roels (“The House”)
Lucy Heavens & Nic Smal (“Kiff”)
Yashar Kassai (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”)
Lindsey Olivares (“The Mitchells vs. The Machines”)
Sung Shin (“Star Trek: Prodigy”)
Gaelle Thierry (“Summit of the Gods”)
Victoria Vincent (“We the People”)
Originally published: October 15, 2021.
Title of Seth Rogen's 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Movie Revealed
The title of the upcoming CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie has been revealed!
As part of their annual 10 Animators to Watch in 2021 feature, Variety has revealed that the title of the new TMNT movie will be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Chapter!
It should be noted that TMNT: The Next Chapter could be the working title. As the movie is still in early development, with a released slated for August 2023, the name of the movie could change.
The world’s most fearsome fighting team began as a joke in 1983, but the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have had serious success ever since. Countless comic books, television shows, films, and video games have shown the group’s lasting appeal. So it’s no surprise they’re gearing up for another big screen adventure. Nickelodeon is teaming up with Seth Rogen on an all-new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
Nickelodeon first announced it is partnering with Point Grey Pictures’ Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and James Weaver to develop a new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film in June 2020. It will also be Nickelodeon Animation Studio’s first-ever CG theatrical release. Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls, Connected, Disenchantment) will direct. Brendan O’Brian (Neighbors, Sorority Rising) will write the script. Nickelodeon’s Executive Vice President Ramsey Naito will lead the production for Nickelodeon, alongside Point Grey Pictures’s Josh Fagen. Paramount Pictures will distribute the film globally.
“Adding Seth, Evan and James’ genius to the humor and action that’s already an integral part of TMNT is going to make this a next-level reinvention of the property,” said Brian Robbins, President, Kids & Family for ViacomCBS, in a statement.
The new movie will arrive in theatres on August 11, 2023.
Plot details for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remain under wraps, but Rogen previously revealed that the film will use the "teenage" part of the title as the "jumping off point for the film."
"As a lifelong fan of Ninja Turtles, weirdly the 'Teenage' part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was always the part that stuck out to me the most. And as someone who loves teenage movies, and who’s made a lot of teenage movies, and who literally got their start in their entire profession by writing a teenage movie, the idea of kind of honing in on that element was really exciting to us. I mean, not disregarding the rest, but really using that as kind of a jumping off point for the film."
This is the most recent heroes in a half shell project from Nickelodeon. The network debuted the 2D-animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in 2018. The network is also working with Netflix on an original animated 2D film based on that most recent series. Season one of Rise of the TMNT is currently streaming on Paramount+.
This is not entirely new ground for Leo, Donatello, Mikey, and Raph. Nickelodeon previously produced a CG-animated series that debuted in 2012. And Warner Bros. also produced a CG-animated feature film. TMNT, whose cast included Chris Evans as Casey Jones. That one released in 2007.
In addition to the CG-animated TMNT film, Colin Jost (Saturday Night Live) and his brother Casey (Impractical Jokers) are reportedly penning a new live action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie for Paramount.
And we’re sure this won’t be the group’s last big screen foray. That’s one heck of a legacy for superheroes who began as a joke.
Originally published: October 15, 2021.