Gutsy Frog (lost American TV film adaptation of manga series; 2013)
Behind the scenes photo, featuring Frankie Jonas and Ian Tucker.
Status: Lost
'Gutsy Frog' was a 2013 TV movie, a live-action American remake of the manga/anime series Dokonjō Gaeru (ど根性ガエル) from the early 1970s. Several sources, including IMDb, indicate Frankie Jonas and Mischa Barton were to play characters in the movie.
Very little is known about the film aside from the identities of those involved with the production (Cast and Crew) and the plot of the film which stays true to the original anime. It is possible that this may have been a pilot for an attempt at a live-action American series adaption.
According to IMDb, the plot goes something like this: "A frog is hopping in an empty lot, when middle schooler Frankie trips over a rock and squashes him. However, the frog is reborn as an imprint on the front of Frankie's shirt and now gives him advice and commentary on his life."
It is unknown if it aired, only saw a release in other regions, or was quietly cancelled. The only photographic proof that it may have been in production is a single behind-the-scenes photo from the set.
In mid-2015, a live-action Japanese TV series sequel to the anime was aired, meant to be set 15 years after the original story.