Our children’s obsession with all things piratical is something that cannot be ignored. They love the imaginary pirate lifestyle of curved swords, chests full of gold and sailing the open seas. As a child it all seems very magical and full of whimsical fantasy. So it was only natural that the Disney Channel aim a bit younger than the Pirates of the Carribean age range (though my four year old loves the series.) They have just began production on a pirate themed cartoon for their Playhouse Disney line-up titled Jake and the Never Land Pirates.
Featuring the classic villain Captain Hook and his doting sidekick Smee, the show will introduce kids to a new hero, Jake and his crew of kid pirates. The show, similar to Dora the Explorer or Go Diego Go! will be interactive with children and animated in a mix of 2-D and CG. Also in the vein of those programs, Jake and the Never Land Pirates will emphasize teamwork. From Nancy Kanter, senior VP of Playhouse Disney Worldwide:
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.
The episodes will feature two stories with plenty of music and childlike shenanigans with Jake and his team, Izzy, Cubby and their parrot Skully (as what Playhouse Disney show would be complete without an animal sidekick?) They said aboard their ship named Bucky, on a treasure hunt throughout Never Land. The teamwork comes in when they encounter Captain Hook and Smee, who are also on the hunt for the treasure.
Jake and the Never Land Pirates features the voice talents of 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. It will also feature original music from Portland based pirate rock band Captain Bogg & Salty. There is no current premiere date set, but I’m pretty sure you’ll see the promos for it on the Playhouse Disney channel when it’s ready to go.
All images ©DISNEY CHANNEL
