Disney Television Animation has announced Jake and the Never Land Pirates, a new Playhouse Disney show for preschoolers starring a crew of kid pirates led by a boy named Jake, who must use teamwork to outsmart the classic Disney villains Captain Hook and Smee. The series will be executive produced by Rob LaDuca and directed by Howy Parkins.
The full press release follows:
DISNEY TELEVISION ANIMATION HAS BEGUN PRODUCTION ON
"JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES" FEATURING CLASSIC
CHARACTERS CAPTAIN HOOK AND SMEE, ALONGSIDE A NEW
CREW OF KID PIRATES AND THEIR FEARLESS LEADER, JAKE
Playhouse Disney Interactive Adventure Series Emphasizes Teamwork
Disney Television Animation has begun production on "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," an interactive 2-D and CG animated series for preschoolers and parents featuring the music and fun-filled adventures of classic characters Captain Hook and Smee, plus a new crew of kid pirates led by the enthusiastic and courageous Jake. The series, which will premiere on Playhouse Disney-branded blocks and channels around the world, is designed to emphasize teamwork. The announcement was made today by Nancy Kanter, senior vice president, Playhouse Disney Worldwide.
Kanter said: "’Jake and the Never Land Pirates' will introduce preschoolers to the excitement of Never Land, an imaginative, engaging pirate world for kids and a wonderfully memorable one for their parents. Comedic foils Captain Hook and his well-meaning sidekick, Smee, will continue to amuse young kids, as the enthusiastic Jake leads his team of kid pirates on adventures that model teamwork for our young viewers."
Each episode features two fun and music-filled stories, as Jake leads his team – including Izzy, Cubby and their parrot lookout, Skully – aboard their amazing ship, Bucky, sailing from their Pirate Island hideout on a lost treasure hunt throughout Never Land. There, Jake and the team learn that they must work together to outsmart Captain Hook and Smee, earning gold doubloons as they conquer tasks. Whether the treasure is a skateboard, a guitar or a prized seashell, Captain Hook will do anything to get his hands on it, so Jake and his fellow kid pirates invite viewers to use teamwork, problem-solving and physical activity such as sliding down waterfalls, pulling vines and flying with the magic of pixie dust to reclaim their treasures.
"Jake and the Never Land Pirates" stars Colin Ford ("Sweet Home Alabama") as Jake, Disney Channel star Madison Pettis ("The Game Plan," "Cory in the House") as Izzy and Jonathan Morgan Heit ("Bedtime Stories") as Cubby. The series will feature original pirate jigs and rock chanteys, as well as music underscore by Loren Hoskins and Kevin Hendrickson of the Portland, Oregon-based pirate rock band, Captain Bogg & Salty.
Rob LaDuca ("Mickey Mouse Clubhouse") is executive producer and Howy Parkins ("Emperor's New School") is director.
Playhouse Disney, seen in a daily programming block on Disney Channel U.S. and on 21 Playhouse Disney channels around the world, encourages preschoolers to imagine and learn through original series, short-form and acquired programming that includes song, movement and entertainment. Guided by an established curriculum, Playhouse Disney supports multiple areas of child development: physical, emotional, social and cognitive; thinking and creative skills as well as moral and ethical development through carefully constructed themes, storylines and endearing characters.
