January 11th, 2012
09:35 AM ET
'Napoleon Dynamite' cast gets animated on FoxWhen the low-budget comedy "Napoleon Dynamite" was released in 2004, few could have predicted it would end up as an animated series on Fox. But then the movie became a bona fide phenomenon, and here we are, seven years later, with the show set to premiere on Sunday night after "The Simpsons." "We’d always felt if we ever continued the adventures of Napoleon that we would do it in animated form just because it seemed like the film would translate well into animation," said the film's director (and show's executive producer) Jared Hess, when speaking to reporters last month. "It was a way that we could get inside Napoleon’s head as well, but we’ve just had a lot of fun re-exploring his world."
Many movies have been adapted for the small screen, but it's difficult to remember any that reunited the original film's entire cast the way that "Napoleon Dynamite" has. "It was a lot of fun because most of us hadn’t seen each other since it played up at Sundance when we first screened it," said Hess. "Most of us hadn’t had consistent contact throughout the years that have passed, but everybody was such a delight to work with on the film and it’s continued on the series." When "Napoleon" himself, Jon Heder, was asked how difficult it was to get back into character, he responded in the trademark voice, "It was pretty easy." As Heder explained, "It’s when I’m most relaxed. You can hide behind your eyelids and you just kind of rest your voice. He doesn’t have to scream that much...For the lead character in an ongoing animated series, I’ve had to show way more emotional range in this role than I ever have in anything else I’ve done. I’ve had to explore all the different sides to Napoleon that I never knew were there." As for another favorite member of the "Dynamite" clan, executive producer Mike Scully ("The Simpsons") promises that this show takes place before Kip found happiness with LaFawndah: "You don’t want a stud like Kip Dynamite tied down to one woman." Napoleon may be animated, but as Scully pointed out, "I think Napoleon at his core is definitely the same person, but we are able to see him in so many more varied situations, and just aspects of the character that we never really got a chance to see in the film." For example, in one episode, Napoleon ends up at a liger breeding facility. But there will be at least one brand new obsession for him, according to Scully: "We don’t talk about ninjas a lot in the movie, but in the TV show, of course, there will be ninja stuff. It will be awesome." While you're waiting for the show to premiere Sunday, check out iReporter Cherry Davis' video - she caught up with the cast at an event in Los Angeles last week:
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This seems about a decade late, but I love the original film and the talent involved, so I'll watch. CNN: That video was terrible. Let me know if you need a new videographer. Hint: you do.
That was the worst piece of journalism I've ever seen. Did an 8 year old do that on his flip phone? Wow CNN, nicely done.
so psyched for this show!!!
Hey Mimi, get bent and take that recruiting somewhere else.
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Mimi is here.
Really looking forward to this show. I loved the movie when it came out, love it now. People who didnt think it was funny have no sense of humor. This will be an awesome show. Whoever doesnt think so, youre a moron, get over it.
The movie was creepy, and the cartoon promises creepier. I shall not indulge.
So it's before LaFawnduh but we have Pedro? They've restricted themselves to only being able to play out things that can fit in between the action of the original movie.
I enjoyed the movie, but I just don't see the point of making an animated series at this point. I'm afraid we'll see something like the long-delayed Spaceballs cartoon, trying to rehash all the same jokes after the audience has forgotten them.
Pft, this show is going to be retarded. Where the hell is Bob's Burgers? They put that POS "Allen Gregory" Crap on and now this. Bobs Burgers was Hi-larious. Fox just has no idea how to program a network or market shows and never has. Case and point: Family guy, they moved it around their schedule so much no one knew when the hell it was one, plus they put the entire bulk of the advertising load on Stewie who was barely a character and more of a gimmick when the show came out.
If the show came out a year after the movie debut I think it would have been a hit for a few seasons. 8 years later? yeah, it's going to be like the caveman show...remember geico?
Hopefully this will be shown via the internet so we don't have to watch it on lame as-s conventional outdated TV. I can't wait to see it.
Waaay too late. I'd sooner watch a Married With Children cartoon. And no LaFawnduh? Fail.Kip wasn't a stud until LaFawnduh showered him with brown sugar and showed him the ways of bling.
There is a video game of Napoleon Dynamite that came out not too long ago that I got and is pretty good. . I think Amazon.com still has it.
Anything, anything at all...just not "American Dad". Please, god?
Another cartoon for adults. What a surprise.
Watched to movie when it came out. Enjoyed it. Re-watched it a few weeks ago, it's lost some of it's sparkle, but still ok. Saw preview after sneak preview, trailer after trailer of the animated show. Not worth TiVo-ing if only to delete without watching.
"We’d always felt if we ever continued the adventures of Napoleon that we would do it in animated form just because it seemed like the film would translate well into animation,"
Yeah- it seemed like it would translate so well that it took them 8 years to get around to it. Bottom of the barrel much FOX?
I found the movie to be first sad and then boring. The last fifteen minutes is the only part that interested me. Vote for Pedro though!
Little Ricky Santorum? Is that you?
Great....just what the world needs...more proof that Americans are leading the march to a future that gets increasingly ignorant every day. A movie so popular they decided to make it a cartoon EIGHT years later. Napoleon Dynamite makes any Pauly Shore movie look like an Oscar winner.
This might have been funny if it was done in 2005. It's 8 years later and ND and all the catch phrases and funny parts of the movie seem horribly dated.
Most of the people who liked Napoleon Dynamite are now 7 years older and realizing how everything in that movie besides the "Vote for Pedro" scene was boring.
I'd knock them for bringing back something so dated, but NBC just launched a series based on The Firm. Regardless, I won't be watching. The movie was garbage. The cartoon will be that water that leaks out of trash bags after rain on a hot, humid day.
It couldn't be any worse than the crap that MacFarlane makes.
I make fun of myself, and even I think it's the stupidest idea. The movie was just so freaking boring. I have a very wide sense of humor..but I just don't see how the movie and even the series will do well. That's just me though.
Mommy and Daddy never did give you must attention, amirite? Loser.
The humor in Napoleon Dynamite is a bit too intelligent for its elderly detractors. Hands down, one of the all-time classic comedies of my generation.
Whatta ya mean, ELDERLY detractors??? Generalize much? I'm pushing 60, and I'd still vote for Pedro!
It was funny when it came out- now it's just dated. It's like listening to people say one liners from office space 100 times. It was mildly amusing the first time....now? Not so much.
At least its not another stupid Mcfarlane show...
Seth is hands down , the funniest writer to come down the pike in 15 years. Proof ? His shows only get funnier with age as exemplified by the fact Family Guy was restored years after being cancelled. Is it our fault you don't get his many references ?
Get rid of Allen Gregory! Thank you
It's already gone.
God did Allen Gregory svck so bad. What were they doing?! It was annoying x 1000000 and I don't think I laughed once. Bring back Bob's Burgers. It was great in a demented, funny way and had great characters.
Allan Gregory was bizzare. Now Bob's Burgers...THAT'S a funny show
.....this is where I thrash.......
I thought the movie was pretty horrible but i guess its what the majority wants....
Stupid @ss piece of cr@p show. FOX has hit an all time low. What's next?...animated series about Kardashian @nal leakage?
Just watched the dvd about a week ago. VOTE FOR PEDRO.
Not gonna watch this either. What's wrong w/ cartoons nowadays? They are not funny at all.
Jeezus... Did only one person hand-draw and film each animated cell or what? About 5 years too late.
@wow: "By the way, one of the funniest movie scenes ever..."
The movie had funny scenes? We must've been watching a different movie.
This show was a little funny but a bit slow. We are all human and go through things.
"Napolean Dynamite gets animated".
Why?
Why? Because FOX knows its audience of "Einsteins".
I believe a person needs to be able to make fun of themselves in order enjoy the movie Napoleon Dynamite (which I am and I loved the movie). I am quite certain the character of Deb was based upon me when I was in high school – side ponytail and all. I am still debating a law suit.
By the way, one of the funniest movie scenes ever has to be the farmer with the shotgun to the cow's head, while the actual "murder" cannot be seen by the viewer as the a school bus full of children comes in and blocks the view of the farmer/cow. Only the gunshot is heard followed by the reaction of the children on the school bus.
As for the cartoon, I cannot comment as I have a horrible track record for predicting which shows will make it (example: My So Called Life) and which shows will not (example: The Bachelor).
And also, Vote for Pedro.
if you insist but it's gonna hurt.
"...don't get it....aweful..." it was a hit with younger viewers. My kids (11 and 5 at the time) loved it. It is a different kind of humor, but I liked it, too. I think it will do ok – but for how long? Fox certainly stuck with "The Cleveland Show" long enough. Good lord was that a bad idea.
I'd take "The Cleveland Show" over "The Simpsons" of the last 14 years ANY DAY!
Yawn. This'll vanish faster than Jonah Hill's garbage show.
Awful movie. Die already.
Kind of late for this.... The Vegas Line is 5 shows, im taking the under
I don't see the point.
Yes Firsty a liger is a lion tiger mix and it is real. Anyways I hated the movie. Couldn't imagine the show being any better.
The animation looks like a rip off of Beavis & Butthead and King of the Hill.
In fact, in the picture above, the guy pointing at Napolean Dynomite is almost an exact replica of the weight lifting guy that moved in next door to Hank Hill and voiced by the guy that used to be on the Drew Carey Show.
There's a good reason for that. The guy who used to be on the Drew Carey show is Diedrich Bader, who was also in the film Napoleon Dynamite.
Diedrich Bader -– And the neighbor in Office Space.
Cool, thanks for the info. I watched Nap Dyno a long time ago and didn't remember Bader being in it (it's not one of the most memorable movies to me).
However, that still doesn't explain why the animation is a rip off of King of the Hill. At first I thought Mike Judge was behind this, but I don't see that written anywhere.
I can't see how this show will be any good.
On a positive note it can't be worse than The Cleveland Show.
Don't blame me for this economy, I voted for Pedro
Me too... Pedro 2012!!!!
Make sure and see all 5 episodes before it disappears.
Agreed...sometimes I just can't understand who decides what gets the nod to be put on television. I will admit the movie was entertaining and I'm not going to bash it. But the fact that a "cult" following made of folks saying the things I see here was enough to get a show...really? It is Fox though, the SImpsons, Family Guy and American Dad have long "jumped the shark". Since 24 left Fox I haven't needed to turn to that station unless it was Sunday and a football gmae was on (or MLB playoffs).
You eat dooodooo you tuuurd nockerson.
I hope old people dont watch this shoe. It might give them ideas. PS T-Rex eats dooodoooo.
Okay-secondy. Dam u nellie ! *just fooling*
Liger ? Is that a lion tiger mix ? I have a bull shyt mix.lol
That was dumb.
And dumber.
My favorite character was LaFawnduh. Perhaps it was because she was (gulp) - from out of state but she seemed like the only person who had a real clue.
She was my favorite too