Adventure Time (lost short film prototype for Cartoon Network animated series; date unknown)
Adventure Time is an animated series that first aired on Cartoon Network in the 5th of April 2010, it follows Finn and Jake going on various adventures on the land of Ooo. It has since turned into one of the networks most well known and popular cartoons of all time.
Originally, the show was meant to be for Nickelodeon, with the series creator, Pendleton Ward attempting to pitch it to them several times, with his first attempt, that being a short film, having since gone down in obscurity.
The short film
According to Ward, when he was studying at the California Institute of Arts (commonly referred to as Cal Arts), Nickelodeon wanted all students there to pitch them 1 minute long short films, with Ward making what he reffers to as "the very first incarnation of Adventure Time".[1] Which follows Finn and Jake saving Princess Bubblegum from the Ice King by using rocket boots.[2]
Aftermath
When screened, excecutives turned it down, although its not exactly clear as to why the did, Ward believes that they simply didn't like it. Afterwards, Ward pitched the show to Frederator Studios, who where doing the anthology series Random! Cartoons and was able to get a 7 minute long pilot fully produced and aired on Nickelodeon's side channel Nicktoons in 2007. This pilot also got rejected to be turned into a full series. Afterwards, Frederator pitched the show to Cartoon Network, which after some time, got approved for a full series.[1]
Availability
While the 7 minute pilot can be easily found online, currently, no images or footage from the original 1 minute short have ever resurfaced, it is also unknown is Ward still owns a copy of it.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Interview with Pendleton Ward. Retrieved 17 Aug '24
- ↑ Los Angeles Times article which features a quote from Pendleton Ward on the short's plot. Retrieved 17 Aug '24