In some of the biggest news to come out of Annecy this year, “Adventure Time” has a new spinoff: animated series “Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline” which, in another Annecy announcement, has been given a 10-episode straight to series order from HBO Max.
The new “Adventure Time” spinoff is being produced in partnership with Cartoon Network Studios. Following the success of Max Originals “Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake” and “Adventure Time: Distant Lands,” Emmy-winning franchise veteran Adam Muto will continue to serve as showrunner and executive producer on “Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline.”
The announcement of the new “Adventure Time” spinoff and HBO Max order was made Wednesday at a Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe showcase at the Annecy Animation Festival.
According to a logline shared with Variety, the new series sees fan favorites “Princess Bubblegum and Marceline the Vampire Queen journey across the farthest reaches of Ooo, encountering familiar faces and new dangers.”
The new series narrative is projected as spreading across multiple episodes and seasons, in line with “Adventure Time” and “Fiona and Cake” and in contrast to the standalone episodes in line with “Adventure Time: Side Quests,” set to debut June 29 on Disney+ and Hulu.
“Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline” is also executive produced by Fred Seibert, “Adventure Time’s” longtime producer, and Sam Register, president, Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.
The two starring characters have been fan favourites for going on a decade, with long speculation of their queer identities. In the 2018 Season 10 finale of the original “Adventure Time” show, this was confirmed with Bubblegum and Marceline kissing – a radical move for kids’ TV at the time, with which the wishes of masses of queer fans were realised.
Since then, their popularity has only grown through an active fan community and the “Fiona & Cake” spinoff. Bubblegum and Marceline finally taking centre stage feels like a matter of time.
“We can’t wait to see where Adam’s boundless imagination takes us in this new series. It’s such a joy to go on another ‘Adventure Time’ journey with our friends and partners at Cartoon Network Studios,” said Amy Gravitt, executive VP, HBO & HBO Max Comedy Programming.
“‘Adventure Time’ remains one of the most inventive and beloved worlds in animation. Alongside our partners at HBO Max, we’re thrilled to continue expanding that universe with Adam and his incredibly talented team,” Register added.
“Continuing in the spirit of ‘Fionna & Cake,’ I’m excited that the next ‘Adventure Time’ series will feature two more of my favorite characters: Bubblegum & Marceline,” Muto enthused. “It’s been a fantastic opportunity to revisit old friends and build onto the world of ‘Adventure Time.’”
Greenlit two months ago, “Adventure Time: Bubblegum and Marceline” is currently being written.
The announcement formed the climax of a packed Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe showcase at Annecy’s Mifa market, now a festival fixture.
In the other big news for WBA-CSN-HB announced at Annecy, Genndy Tartakovsky and Cartoon Network Studios are prepping a “Conan the Barbarian” animated series for Prime Video. The news was first reported by The Wrap.
The session’s schedule also took in the first two episodes of “Adventure Time: Side Quests,” a clip from “Yokoso Scooby-Doo,” a few clips from “support’s Fun Time With Imaginary Friends” and excerpts from “Supermutant Magic Academy,” bound for Adult Swim, which unveiled first footage on Tuesday at Annecy.
Source: variety.com
