South Park fans could be in for a major treat with the news that ViacomCBS are looking to expand the longrunning animation by creating a slew of new movies.
According to Grant Gish, ViacomCBS Entertainment and Youth Group’s new senior vice president of adult animation, the network giants are hoping to create more South Park movies and specials alongside creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, with the South Park film, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, being released back in 1999.
“As long as you’re doing something new, and that could be anything from a new style to a new tone to a new voice coming from a specific writer, I think it can work,” Gish told CNBC.
“An animation audience is looking for something unique. That’s what The Simpsons and South Park have famously done. So I want to try a little bit of everything, even though a lot of it will be targeted to the tried and true with brands people know.”
Evidently a fan of nostalgic shows of the 90s, Gish will also be overseeing recently announced The Ren & Stimpy Show reboot as well as the Beavis and Butt-Head remake from Mike Judge and Daria spin-off Jodie.
“These were shows I grew up on,” said Gish. “Taking these brands and making something new for 2021, 2022, or finding and making something new for Comedy Central, Nickelodeon — again, networks I grew up on — it’s just a great opportunity.”
Chris McCarthy, president of ViacomCBS’ Entertainment & Youth Brands added: “The point of what we’re doing is unlocking the value of those shows today and reimagining them for a whole new generation.”
“Beavis and Butthead has a 93% brand awareness. In this super crowded landscape, having IP that people feel passionate about brings that audience in.”
South Park first aired in 1997, and currently boasts a whopping 287 episodes to date.
