Paramount Pictures is cutting the highly-anticipated The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run from its theatrical release calendar as COVID-19 uncertainties continue to disrupt the movie biz. Sources told Deadline that the pic — directed by Tim Hill and featuring a full CG makeover for SpongBob and his Bikini Bottom friends courtesy of Mikros Animation — will now head straight to home release on PVOD in early 2021 before hitting CBS All Access.
Sponge on the Run was originally slated to arrive in theaters Memorial Day weekend before being rescheduled for August 7.
Following The SpongeBob Movie (2004; $141 million worldwide) and hybrid flick Sponge Out of Water (2015, $325.1M), Sponge on the Run marks the beloved Nickelodeon cartoon’s big screen full CG debut. Featuring series stars Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Tilley, Mary Jo Catlett and Lori Alan, along with celebrity co-stars Awkwafina, Reggie Watts, Matt Berry, Snoop Dogg and Keanu Reeves, the movie sends SpongeBob and Patrick on an epic rescue road trip to the Lost City of Atlantic City to rescue our absorbent yellow hero’s beloved pet, Gary, “snailnapped” by Poseidon.
You can read more about the project in Ramin Zahed’s recent feature story for Animation Magazine here.
The release bump was initially reported by Variety.
[Source: Deadline]
