Cartoon Network Studios is developing three new Adventure Time projects, including a movie and two spin-off TV shows.
Announced as part of Warner Bros. Animation’s Studio Focus presentation at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, The Adventure Time Movie is being put together by three significant Adventure Time veterans, including original showrunner Adam Muto, Patrick McHale (also co-creator of Over the Garden Wall), and Rebecca Sugar (creator of Steven Universe). It will see “Jake and Finn embark on their greatest adventure yet.”
Alongside the film, Cartoon Network Studios has also greenlit production of Adventure Time: Side Quests, an episodic children’s show that takes place during Finn’s childhood when he dreams of heading out on epic quests and fighting monsters. The series will reportedly showcase early versions of fan-favourite characters such as The Ice King, and will be made up of standalone episodes rather than narrative arcs. Nate Cash, the two-time Emmy-winning Adventure Time artist, is attached to the show.
The second spin-off is the preschool-aimed Adventure Time: Heyo BMO, starring the Game Boy-like sentient games console BMO. Adam Muto and previous Adventure Time storyboard artist Ashlyn Anstee are both attached to the project, which will see BMO and a group of friends face challenges that are tailored to younger audiences.
Adventure Time finished up back in 2018 with a “graceful and touching ending” that we awared 10/10. Since then we’ve has spin-offs such as Fionna and Cake and specials like Distant Lands Obsidian, but this movie could be the first ‘proper’ return to Adventure Time’s core in many years.
Alongside the Adventure Time announcements, Warner Bros. revealed that a new Regular Show series has been greenlit, with original creator J.G. Quintel working on the show. Beloved cartoon Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends is also getting a new spin-off – Foster’s Funtime for Imaginary Friends – with the original show’s creator Craig McCracken on board.
Matt Purslow is IGN’s Senior Features Editor.
