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Pac-Man Gets U.S. 3D CG Animated Show on Disney XD

Namco Bandai Games' iconic Pac-Man character will spawn a 3D CG animated series that will air on America's Disney XD channel in Fall 2013 or later. Avi Arad (Marvel's recent live-action films, Innocent graphic novel) and Rick Ungar (X-Men: Evolution, Biker Mice From Mars) are executive producers for the 26 26-minute episodes from Namco Bandai Games Inc., Arad Productions, and 41 Entertainment LLC. Tom Ruegger (Scooby-Doo, Animaniacs) and Paul Rugg (Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Animaniacs) are also attached as writers.

According to the Japanese industry news source animeanime.biz, the project is being developed in high-definition stereoscopic 3D, with an eye towards the still nascent 3D television market. The production of each episode will cost US$600,000 (about 48 million yen), whereas a typical Japanese animated series costs in the range of 10 million yen (US$120,000) per episode. The project was pitched to overseas television companies at the MIPCOM trade show last October in Cannes, France.

Pac-Man already inspired a 1982-83 animated series from Hanna-Barbera on ABC in the United States. Arad has been developing the new television project since at least 2010. North American production company Merv Griffin Entertainment intends to create a separate "Wipeout-type" reality television show based on Pac-Man.

Source: animeanime.biz, The Hollywood Reporter

Image © Namco Bandai Games Inc.