New NinjaGo show in production?

[jsnweitzel]

This is an excerpt from an article at IGN.com.

Cartoon Network also announced thirteen new original series in the works, as well as nineteen returning shows. Among the new shows is the network's newest live-action scripted comedy series, Level Up (a fantastical comedy for the video game age), which will launch with a 90-minute original movie and debut over the next year. Also on tap? How to Train Your Dragon (based on the Oscar-nominated DreamWorks film), The Problem Solverz, Secret Mountain Fort Awesome, The Amazing World of Gumball, a new version of Ben 10, Total Drama: Revenge of the Island, RedaKai: Conquer the Kairu, Lego Ninjago, a new Looney Tunes Show, the ThunderCats reboot and Green Lantern: The Animated Series.

Here's the link to the entire article. http://tv.ign.com/articles/115/1157243p1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Good news for Lego but personally I'm excited about Thunder, Thunder, ThunderCats Ho! Hope they don't butcher it.

[turtle1173]

Thundercats yeah... Snarf snarf. Lol

Cool. I was wondering if they would make a series out of ninjago.

[mrfootball]

Here's the full release from Lego

-Storyline of red-hot new property to air on Cartoon Network in the United States by year's end-

ENFIELD, Conn., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The LEGO Group today announced that Ninjago, its original property centered on a rich story inspired by martial arts lore, has been spun into 13 episodes of animated series content. Written by Kevin and Dan Hageman and produced in HD CGI by Wil Film, the series will air in the United States on Cartoon Network starting at the end of 2011. The search for distribution partners in global markets is underway.

Ninjago tells the story of four young Ninja heroes – Kai, Jay, Cole and Zane – who train under the watchful eye of Sensei Wu to master an ancient martial art – Spinjitzu – to save the world from the evil Lord Garmadon and his skeleton army. The series picks up following a time of peace in Ninjago as the four heroes prepare to face a new enemy, Lloyd Garmadon, son of archenemy Lord Garmadon. Lloyd has unleashed a sinister evil with unique powers and his ambition to follow in his father's footsteps puts all of Ninjago in jeopardy.

To launch the story and establish the characters, Cartoon Network aired Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, two 22-minute animated specials that introduced the characters and conflicts of the Ninjago universe in January and in March. The specials were consistently the highest rated program among boys in their time slot, across multiple airings.

"We're thrilled to be working with Wil Film and Kevin and Dan Hageman to add yet another dimension of story and engagement to our newest original property," said Jill Wilfert, vice president licensing & entertainment for LEGO Group. "The Ninjago universe combines the core LEGO value of creativity with teamwork and mastery of skills, which the series artfully leverages to create a new and compelling experience to inspire children's imaginations."

"Given the tremendous ratings we've already achieved with the two 22-minute Ninjago specials that aired on Cartoon Network, it's only fitting to expand our partnership with them to the series," Wilfert continued. "The value of our content matched with their distribution and audience will ensure success for the series."

Ninjago is a multi-faceted property with a story-driven universe that can be experienced across multiple platforms. Traditional LEGO building sets allow children to create and role play in the Ninjago world. Buildable spinners put the Ninjago characters at the center of a new social competitive game. Virtual gaming at http://ninjago.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, in a new content zone of LEGO Universe and through a Nintendo DS game all bring the world to life and unlock information and skills that further engagement with the property.

For more information, visit http://ninjago.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

[legitimatealex]

Well I guess this means that the NinjaGo line will last as long as the show. Expect 3 or 4 more releasing of NinjaGo most likely.

[Brick & Blue]

NinjaGo will surely be in 2012, and they can make another 13 episodes then.

Train Your Dragon is awesome, I wonder how this will fit into the sequel movie.

[legitimatealex]

NinjaGo will surely be in 2012, and they can make another 13 episodes then.

Train Your Dragon is awesome, I wonder how this will fit into the sequel movie.

Not to derail the thread but I'd say generally speaking if they go the series route they wont do a full feature movie sequel.

[mrfootball]

I would fully expect to see a Ninjago console game ( a la Lego SW Clone Wars III) next year. Could be really cool if they incorporate some Martial Arts duels into the fight scenes.

[vynsane]

When you think about it, this makes a TON of sense - instead of buying licensed properties, they create their own properties to tie into themes they are already producing/getting ready to produce. This way, it (somewhat) has the market exposure of a licensed theme but doesn't have the high cost of acquiring the license itself.

[jsnweitzel]

What I don't understand is why NinjaGo specifically? Why not have a more generic LEGO cartoon that you could expose all the different sets with?

Maybe have a boy and girl character that travel through time and space and they could stay in the city or visit knights or space police or power miners or pirates or ninjago, etc.. That way you could highlight any new sets or themes each year. My son likes the Clutch Power video. I haven't watched the whole thing but I know the beginning has him in a power miners rig,then he's in the city and then he's in space. They could probably be tied into the online game as well.

Makes more sense to me than putting all of your hope on one specific brand.

[vynsane]

That sounds like a solid plan, but it would be harder to sell to a network, I'd imagine. They probably had to come up with a story arc for the entire first season in order for CN to bite, and it's easier to do so with a certain specified set of characters/situations.

[Transformers2]

What I don't understand is why NinjaGo specifically? Why not have a more generic LEGO cartoon that you could expose all the different sets with?

Ninjago seems to sell well and the kids really like it. I thought the spinners wouldn't be popular with a figure and some cards but turns out I was wrong.

[turtle1173]

Anyone catch the 2 new Ninjago episodes on Friday night? My kids and I enjoyed them. The snakes are rather cool. We are looking forward to the new series in January.

[ATXHusker]

I tried to find it to record a rerun but it's not coming up? Anyone know when they are releasing more?

-Chad

[turtle1173]

New Ninjago series will be on Wednesday's in January. So it should start on January 4th. That's what all the commercials have been saying anyway. We will have to find out who the mysterious Green Ninja is going to be.

[turtle1173]

Looks like tonight is the first night of episodes that hasn't aired yet. Hopefully the series will be good.

[CharliesDad]

We will have to find out who the mysterious Green Ninja is going to be.

My son thinks it's going to be Kai while I told him I think it's going to be Nya. I haven't the heart to tell him that I already know who it's going to be.

[Mom2Nate]

My kids and I are loving the new Ninjago series. Thankfully with Verizon, we can watch it on-demand whenever we want. We just bought the Ninjago video at TRU from the miniseries last year. I think Ninjago has been playing in our home almost everyday.

[silvashado]

Since I don't have cable, I couldn't watch any of this on TV, but I did watch the original series and up to episode 4 of the snake season on YouTube. I find it very very funny. Makes me laugh out loud. It also makes me appreciate the sets more as I have a better understanding of the why behind the sets.

I only wish they had made Jay's parents and their car into a set. I so would have bought that. It's a very sweet looking car and his parents are just so adorable!

I hear the next episode is up on YouTube so I'll have to catch up soon. I do hope they release all of the Ninjago episodes on DVD at some point.