Life in Dog River is about to get a lot more animated. Following a six-season run and a blockbuster 2014 movie, The Comedy Network announced today it has greenlit an all-new animated version of the acclaimed, smash-hit comedy franchise Corner Gas from 335 Productions and Vérité Films.
The 13-episode, half-hour series for The Comedy Network’s 2017-2018 broadcast season is the latest original 4K production from Bell Media. Re-imagined by Corner Gas creator and star Brent Butt, who released a sneak peek of his animated-character yesterday, the all-new animated Corner Gas delivers its revered brand of comedy, but this time in an animated Dog River where anything is possible.
The new series comes from Corner Gas executive producers Brent Butt and David Storey from Prairie Pantoons (335 Productions), and Virginia Thompson from Moving Mountoons (Vérité Films), in association with The Comedy Network. Animation will be produced by Prairie Pantoons, Moving Mountoons and Smiley Guy Studios. The series begins pre-production in January 2017 in Vancouver and Toronto, with the main cast confirmed to return. Producers also confirmed today that beloved character Emma will live on in the animated world with the blessing of the late Janet Wright’s family.
“We are thrilled the original cast is back and that the Emma character will live on in the animated series,” said Executive Producer Virginia Thompson in a press release. “Emma will remain funny and fearless in the new series and will pay tribute to Janet Wright for many years to come.”
“We’re ecstatic to be heading back to Dog River with a new animated version of CORNER GAS for The Comedy Network,” said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, CTV and Specialty, Bell Media. “The Corner Gas franchise is iconic and much loved by the entire country. We’re excited to again work with this great production team to deliver more Corner Gas to the dedicated fans who made the franchise so incredibly successful, and also introduce this wonderful world to a new audience.”
Brent (Brent Butt), Lacey (Gabrielle Miller), Oscar (Eric Peterson), Hank (Fred Ewanuick), Davis (Lorne Cardinal), Karen (Tara Spencer-Nairn), and Wanda (Nancy Robertson) are all getting a cartoon makeover as the main cast returns to Dog River for Corner Gas. Casting for the voice of Emma is currently underway.
