Dan Aykroyd Is Developing a BLUES BROTHERS Animated Series
Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s classic movie The Blues Brothers is getting adapted into a primetime animated comedy series! Aykroyd has teamed up with Belushi’s widow Judy Belushi and Bento Box Entertainment to bring this new series to life. Bento Box is the production company that produces Bob’s Burgers.
The series was co-created by Aykroyd, Belushi, and Saturday Night Live writer Anne Beatts. According to Deadline, the series “will chronicle the music, mayhem and comedy adventures of Jake and Elwood Blues, along with the characters within their master blues band.” The report goes on to explains that “the boys take their act on the road and back to that same old place, sweet home Chicago. Music will be a main character in the new series. Each episode will feature a score and soundtrack curated with the soul, blues and R&B classics and hits performed by the Blues Brothers, as well as new performances recorded specifically for the show.”
This show sounds like it could be very entertaining and a lot of fun. Aykroyd had this to say in a statement:
“The show will be the Blues Brothers living in America and utilizing all new technology to make and promote their own records, seek out and record new artists and avoid law enforcement – and all while fighting for truth, justice and a better breakfast sandwich.”
Apparently Aykroyd and Belushi had been trying to get this project off the ground for about 10 years when they licensed the rights to the property to Film Roman back in 1997. Unfortunately, nothing ever happened with it. So they started pitching the series to other networks. Finally, the project has found a home. Producer Scott Greenberg said:
“It is such a privilege for us to be able to produce the work of the very same people who played such an instrumental role in creating one of the most iconic, multi-faceted comedy and music brands of all time. Now we all have the rare opportunity to translate the timeless comic genius of Dan and John from live-action to animation, while offering an entirely new generation of Blues Brothers fans the chance to appreciate them.”
I’m a big fan of The Blues Brothers, and I’m excited to see the adventures of these two crazy characters that originated on SNL continue in animated form.