Disney Junior is diving into the original movie game — and it’s feeling just ducky about it.
The network has begun work on its first original movie, “Lucky Duck,” with voice work from “Smash” veterans Megan Hilty and Christian Borle, along with Tom Cavanagh of “Royal Pains.”
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The movie “follows a plucky rubber ducky named Lucky (voiced by Borle) who, after accidentally being tossed off a cargo ship, sets off in search of the perfect home. Along the way, he teams with a group of misfit tub toys including a sassy hippo, Flo (Hilty), and an apprehensive turtle named Snap (Cavanaugh),” according to Disney Junior.
“Lucky Duck” will premiere in the U.S. in summer 2014 on Disney Junior before rolling out to Disney Junior channels throughout the world.
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Don Kim (“The Adventures of Chuck and Friends”) is directing the movie, which Michael G. Stern (“Imagination Movers”) wrote. “Rango” duo Rick Garcia and William Malpede are composing the music for “Lucky Duck.”
“We’re eager to introduce young kids and their parents to our first Disney Junior Original Movie, an exciting adventure with a heart-warming message about never giving up despite all odds,” Disney Junior vice president, original programming Joe D’Ambrosia said of the project. “We hope that this new TV movie format will create an even stronger family viewing destination to further deliver on our brand promise of imaginative characters and storytelling with heart.”
Nelvana Limited is producing in association with Disney Junior.