Are you old enough to remember Captain Planet and the Planeteers, perhaps the world’s first ecologically centric super hero?
Well, Captain Planet is following suit like many great cartoons before him and bringing his message of a greener future to the big screen.
Created by Ted Turner himself, Captain Planet will be getting the live action treatment after a deal was signed with producer Don Murphy (Transformers).
“The messages of Captain Planet are even more relevant today,” said Stuart Snyder, president of Turner Broadcasting System Inc.’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media division. “We feel this team can bring the world’s first eco-hero to life in a powerful motion picture that is not only pertinent but entertaining.”
Captain Planet and his team of trusty sidekicks, dubbed Planeteers, premiered in 1990 as the first environmental-centric animated series. The show ran six season following the continuing adventures of a group of young people who were powered by magic rings entrusted to them by Gaia the Earth Spirit, imbuing each of them with a different element of nature. When things got to sticky they could combine their powers to summon Captain Planet, eco-hero extraordinaire, to battle those evil doers bent on Earth’s ecological destruction.
“With the earthquakes, tornadoes, melting icebergs and all the other problems threatening the world right now, Earth really needs her greatest defender,” said Susan Montford, Murphy’s producing partner.
Murphy added, “We are extremely excited about bringing the good Captain back to life. His adventures are known worldwide and he is recognized across generations. We expect to make a spectacular series of films with the amazing team at Cartoon Network.”
I remember enjoying this show when it was on, but looking back it was pretty darn goofy. I wonder if they’ll maintain that goofy feel or attempt to make a more serious film. Either way, Captain Planet’s message really is more relevant now than ever.
