‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ Spinoffs in the Works at Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon is bringing you more stories from under the sea. The children’s cable network is planning its first-ever series of spinoffs from the long-running, popular animated program “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Possible ideas for the breakout installments include standalone stories for side characters like Sandy Cheeks and Plankton. No further details are available at this time, including a projected date for when the spinoffs would hit the small screen.

Created by the late animator and marine biology teacher, Stephen Hillenburg, “SpongeBob” premiered on Nickelodeon in July 1999. The cartoon’s massive popularity has led to two feature films, 2004’s “The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie” and its 2015 sequel, as well as a Broadway musical.

Also Read: Stephen Hillenburg, 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Creator, Dies at 57

The series is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Nick is dropping a ton of news this morning. The kids’ network is also bringing back “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader” with new host John Cena and reviving “All That” with original cast member and breakout star Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) as executive producer. That sketch comedy show also expects to see the returns of other original cast members.

Additionally, Nickelodeon has acquired the rights to develop TV series based on Paddington Bear and the recent “LEGO” movies.