A new Hey Arnold! TV movie is in the works at Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is reviving one of its most beloved NickToons of days past, namely Hey Arnold! in a new made-for-TV movie that could be the first of several classic series to make a comeback on the Viacom-owned channel under newly appointed executive Chris Viscardi. The new film will tie up loose ends from the series, specifically the whereabouts of Arnold’s parents.
“Kids who grew up on these characters are now of the age that they are having kids and families themselves,” said Russell Hicks, president, content development and production, for Nickelodeon Group. “Our library has come to fruition and it’s time for it to start coming back to life. You have to remember people who are going to watch really don’t have a recollection of ‘Hey Arnold.’ You have to make it relevant to them but also nod to the audience that is going to be interested.”
Chris Viscardi, co-creator of the classic Nick series “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” was recently promoted to the new title of senior vice president of content development for franchise properties, meaning he will be in charge of current popular shows like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora The Explorer” as well as potentially resurrecting older properties like “Ren & Stimpy,” “Rocko’s Modern Life” or “The Wild Thornberrys.”
Created by animator Craig Bartlett, “Hey Arnold!” ran from 1996 to 2004 and concerned a 4th grade boy with a football-shaped-head who lives with his grandparents in an inner-city boarding house. A theatrical movie released in 2002 titled Hey Arnold!: The Movie, which grossed $15 million at the box office. The new film will see Bartlett returning as writer and executive producer.
