So, today's announcements from Warner Bros. about their new slate of films made in partnership with General Mills, Kellogg, Quaker, and Post were a surprise, but honestly not unexpected. The cereal mascots have been a fixture on children's television for ages, and recently strengthened advertising rules in some countries, and the rise of ad-free streaming services, have made marketing to kids more challenging. So, why not fall back on the classic tactics of snazzy animation and a shared universe?
Here's a rundown of the major titles coming our way soon, with some of my thoughts on each.
"Top Cookie" - It's one of those strange generational markers that how old you are corresponds to which of the three Cookie Crisp mascots you remember: Jarvis the Wizard, Cookie Crook and his sidekick Chip the Dog, and now Chip the Wolf. Eager to appeal to all audiences, the creators have decided to put all of them together in one feature, fighting over the right to be the ultimate Cookie Crisp mascot. Several crossover guest stars are rumored to be playing the celebrity judges, including Tony the Tiger, Sonny the Cuckoo, and Cornelius Rooster.
"Do the Monster Munch" - Count Chocula, Franken Berry, And Boo Berry have been around in animated form since the '70s and were already established as being in their own shared universe, so they make the most sense for feature treatment. Their squabbling rivalry should translate well to the big screen, and the plan to have them band together to combat more contemporary spookies like the Cinnamon Slasher sounds diverting enough. Bride of Frankenberry and Berrypatra are expected to make their animated debuts. Yummy Mummy is also expected to get a redesign and a genderswap.
"Quisp" - His cereal may be hard to find these days, but Quisp, alien prince of the Planet Q, who flies with the aid of a propellor affixed to the top of his head, remains ready for action. Originally designed and animated by the great Jay Ward, there's a little more substance to Quisp than most of the other cereal mascots. "Quisp" will see our hero finally become king of Planet Q, and have to fend off encroaching Martians. A deal is rumored to be in the works to allow Marvin the Martian to lead the invasion. Quisp's usual antagonists, Quake and the Orange Quangaroo, are also expected to appear.
"Captain Crunch Conquers the Utensils" - Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch is called back into action when several of his fellow mascots, including Dig 'Em Frog, Toucan Sam, and Buzz the Bee, are kidnapped by disgruntled ex-Pop Tarts spokesman Milton the Toaster, who views the popularity of breakfast cereals as the reason for his downfall. Captain Crunch will have to fight his way through the hostile territories of the Kingdom of Utensia to save the day. He'll be aided by the crew of the SS Guppy, former rival Jean LaFoote, and crossover guest stars Captain Rik and Captain Star.
"The Golden Boy" - Former Golden Grahams promoter the Golden Boy is one of the rare live-action cereal mascots, and this announced feature will follow his poignant post-ad campaign spiral and triumphant return to the spotlight as the new mascot of an up-and-coming minor league baseball team. Quaker Oats mascot Larry is expected to appear as the Golden Boy's mentor, along with various athletes who have appeared on the Wheaties box, including the 1998 Women's Gold Medal Olympic Hockey Team.
"Rabbit v. Leprechaun" - Finally, the showdown we'll all been waiting for, between Lucky the Leprechaun, the most famous of the the mascots who keep cereal away from kids, and the Trix Rabbit, who has been kept away from the cereal bowl by kids for perhaps a little too long. Both characters will suffer a botched neurosis reprogramming attempt, and unwittingly become simultaneously fixated on the same cereal, a new product yet to be unveiled. Hijinks and mayhem ensue, summer of 2022.
---
No comments:
Post a Comment