Jared Hess to Direct ‘NickToons’ for Nickelodeon Films and Paramount
With studios continuing their efforts to build film universes out of their branded properties, Paramount is now looking to take advantage of its classic Nickelodeon cartoon library to do something similar.
Sources tell Variety that Paramount and Nickelodeon Films have tapped Jared Hess to write and direct “NickToons,” which would combine all the classic Nick ‘toons from the ’90s into one film.
Hess will co-write with his wife, Jarusha Hess, with Mary Parent producing through her Disruption Entertainment banner along with Cale Boyter.
Plot details are vague, but the film will feature famous characters from shows like “Doug,” “Rugrats,” “Ren & Stimpy” and “Ahh! Real Monsters,” combining them into a film that would bear similarities to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”
Parent already has connections to this world, having recently produced the latest “Spongebob Squarepants” film, which is also a Nickelodeon entity.
Hess’ next project, “Masterminds,” is still awaiting announcement of a new release date, which won’t be worked out until after Relativity’s bankruptcy hearing. He is also attached to direct “Overnight at 42nd Street” for Disney. His previous credits include “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Nacho Libre.”
He is repped by UTA. Deadline Hollywood first reported the news.
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