Cartoon Network will debut Codename: Kids Next Door’Operation Z.E.R.O on Friday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Produced by New York-based animation production company Curious Pictures, the project is the first feature-length outing for the popular kids’ show created by Curious Pictures director Tom Warburton.
Codename: Kids Next Door revolves around five somewhat inept tweens, Numbuh One through Numbuh Five, who take it upon themselves to protect all children from evil adults. The movie will introduce a new villain hatches a sinister plot to turn everyone into what he calls ‘hideously wrinkly tapioca-eating Senior Citizombies.’ The rise of a new baddie calls for the invention of a new hero as the kids conjour up Numbuh Zero to help them save the world.
‘These characters have so much history,’ says Warburton, pointing out that KND has continuity, unlike other cartoons. ‘Three to four earth-shattering events happen in the movie, and there’s a lot of explaining to do.’
Codename: Kids Next Door first aired in December of 2002 and has a sixth season in production at Curious Pictures. The team is working on an hour-long series finale, but Warburton assures fans that the kids will likely be back in future specials or movies.
