The Cartoon Network gave a sneak preview of its revamped "Thundercats," announced a new partnership with DC, and offered details on a new series based on "How to Train Your Dragon" at its upfront presentation to advertisers Wednesday.
The network's lineup, unveiled at the Time Warner Center in New York, includes a slate of 12 new animated shows plus the live-action series "Level Up." The scripted comedy about four high-school video-game fanatics will launch with a 90-minute original movie this fall.
Also on the slate will be "DC Nation," a partnership with DC Entertainment that will roll out in 2012 and will serve as a hub for DC's comic franchises. The previously announced "Green Lantern: The Animated Series," a DC property based on the upcoming Ryan Reynolds movie, will get its own slot beginning this summer.
Dreamworks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg took the stage to discuss the company's upcoming weekly CG-animated series based on "How to Train Your Dragon."
"DreamWorks Animation recognizes the importance of building brands around great franchises, so you can imagine how thrilled we are to be joining forces with Cartoon Network to bring our newest franchise -- 'How to Train Your Dragon' -- to television audiences around the world," said Katzenberg.
The cable channel also offered a peek at the previously announced and much buzzed-about revamp of "ThunderCats," the beloved 1980s animated sci-fi series about well-muscled felines struggling to survive on the planet of Thundera. But it did not announce a premiere date.
Here's a handly list of the new programs, complete with Cartoon Network's own descriptions:
• The Problem Solverz: Created by celebrated artist Ben Jones, The Problem Solverz presents a fresh, distinctive visual style and tone in a new series that follows three crazy young dudes, Horace, Roba and Alfe, the proprietors of an unorthodox detective agency dedicated to solving the mysteries of the universe, one case at a time. Slated to premiere Monday, April 4, at 8:45 p.m. (ET/PT).
• Secret Mountain Fort Awesome: From Pete Browngardt (Chowder), Cartoon Network Studios presents a hilarious new comedy about a mega-rad group of monsters that live underground and do crazy awesome stuff like steal the sun, fight CGI-sharks, and get their butts kicked by a velociraptor. Plus they wrestle! See, it’s awesome, right? But remember, it’s a secret. Shh!...premiering this summer.
• The Amazing World of Gumball: Dad is a 6’4" pink rabbit who stays home while Mom works in the rainbow factory. Their children include Gumball, a blue cat with a giant head; Anais, a 4-year-old genius bunny; and Darwin, a pet goldfish who became part of the family when he sprouted legs. The eye-catching animated series combines 2D and 3D animation techniques in a live-action setting and originates from Cartoon Network UK. The Amazing World of Gumball premieres Monday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
• The Looney Tunes Show: Screen icons Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are back, starring in an all-new modern comedy series from Warner Bros.
