1990s Nicktoons Are Getting a Live-Action/Animated Crossover Movie

According to The Tracking Board, Paramount Pictures is developing a live-action/animated hybrid big screen adaptation of the classic 1990s Nickelodeon cartoon series. This is sure to be an explosion of nostalgia as it will be a massive crossover movie that will include characters from Rugrats, Angry Beavers, Hey Arnold!, Rocko’s Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy, and more. 

The movie will be called Nicktoons, and the film concept was pitched as “a Justice League or Avenger’s-esque team-up film.” So yes, now Nickelodeon is going to have its own cinematic universe. The movie is also said to be influenced by The Lego Movie, Space Jam, Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, and Wreck-It Ralph. 

According to the report, “Nicktoons is poised to follow a similar model, employing a hefty amount of self-referential humor and charm.” Paramount is currently in the process of locking down all of the film rights to these. Mary Parent is spearheading the project. She was a producer on Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, which turned out to be quite the entertaining flick. 

The film is in the very early development stages, and the studio is currently in discussions with several different screenwriters to take on the project. The report goes on to say:

"Naysayers ought not to fear, as our sources say that the creators have no intentions to bastardize or update the characters unfavorably, only to create a fun adventure reuniting audiences with the treasured cartoons in an exciting new approach, pleasing old fans and creating new ones. Though, creators have to tread lightly, as they run the risk of making another Rugrats Go Wild, which was an ill-received and poorly conceived crossover that just didn’t mesh."

I actually find this project pretty exciting. It could be really fun to see these characters up on the big screen together, especially with the inclusion of Ren and Stimpy. That alone seems like it would make this whole thing worth it. Hopefully, they bring together a great team of talent to make it happen.