Following on from the likes of Trolls World Tour and Scoob!, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon’s animated feature The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run has become the latest feature to skip its theatrical release in favour of going straight to digital.
The CG-animated sequel was originally scheduled for release in cinemas in May before being pushed back to August due to the global health crisis; however, Variety is reporting that the movie will now be held until early 2021 where it will launch on VOD before exclusively premiering on the CBS All Access subscription service.
“We are thrilled to have The Spongebob Movie: Sponge on the Run, a premier, first-run movie from one of ViacomCBS’ biggest brands, join CBS All Access’ expanding slate of franchise content from across ViacomCBS,” said Marc DeBevoise, chief digital officer at ViacomCBS, and president and CEO of ViacomCBS Digital. “This launch will be perfectly timed with our continued expansion and planned rebranding of the service in early 2021, as we welcome SpongeBob and the gang from Bikini Bottom to the service in the biggest way possible.”
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“I’m incredibly proud of this film, and the phenomenal cast and filmmaking team that made it happen,” added Mireille Soria, president of Paramount Animation. “Bringing this movie to life was a true collaboration and labor of love, and I’m thrilled for audiences to enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it.”
This Memorial Day weekend, SpongeBob SquarePants, his best friend Patrick Star and the rest of the gang from Bikini Bottom hit the big screen in the first-ever all CGI SpongeBob motion picture event. After SpongeBob’s beloved pet snail Gary is snail-napped, he and Patrick embark on an epic adventure to The Lost City of Atlantic City to bring Gary home. As they navigate the delights and dangers on this perilous and hilarious rescue mission, SpongeBob and his pals prove there’s nothing stronger than the power of friendship.
Directed by Tim Hill, show veteran and co-writer of 2004’s The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie, the film will see Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill Fagerbakke (Patrick), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Lori Alan (Pearl), Mr. Lawrence (Plankton), Jill Talley (Karen) and Mary Jo Catlett (Mrs. Puff) reprising their roles from the series alongside new additions Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians) and Keanu Reeves (John Wick).
