“A new series? Killer brah!” Photo: Sony Pictures Animation
Surf’s Up is an unlikely standout in the pantheon of surf films. Despite being an animated mockumentary about a bunch of surfing penguins, the 2007 Sony Pictures Animation film genuinely seems to have an understanding and affection for the world of surfing. The style apes surf docs such as Riding Giants, the plot echoes the cult classic North Shore, Kelly Slater and Rob Machado have cameos, and there’s even a character who is a reference to …Lost’s Chicken Joe. Now, as Deadline reports, fans of the film have a new TV show to look forward to.
Surf’s Up: The Series is an animated series currently being developed by Thunderbird Entertainment Group’s Atomic Cartoons. The adaptation of the feature film will target kids aged 6-9 with 11-minute episodes. The series will follow an over-confident teen penguin named Flip. When his attempts to become a surf legend go awry, he and a group of young surfers decide to build their own surf community on Pen Gu Island. Fans of the original will also recognize returning characters such as Cody, Big Z and Chicken Joe.
“Our team at Atomic is thrilled to be working on Surf’s Up: The Series and for the opportunity to introduce these adored characters to the small screen, reaching new and existing fans of the iconic animated film,” said Atomic and Thunderbird CEO Twiner McCarron.
“(Writers) Lienne Sawatsky, Dan Williams and John Hazlett are passionate about only two things in life – penguins and surfing,” added Atomic Cartoons producer Aaron Behl. “It was undeniable that they were the write team – pun intended – to adapt Surf’s Up as a hilarious animated series.”
