Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other popular book-to-show franchises like PJ Masks, the new Gigantosaurus Disney show takes Jonny Duddle’s books and breathes computer-animated life into them. It airs this Friday (18th January) on Disney Channel.
In his books, Duddle tells a story about four young dinosaurs trying to stay out the way of the huge Gigantosaurus. One of the youngsters can’t resist pretending that the large dinosaur has spotted them. Over the course of the story he learns a valuable lesson.
The show extends this concept with new characters and stories. It’s developed and produced by France-based Cyber Group Studios and features four young dinosaur friends. Mazu is the most inquisitive. Tiny is small and playful. Bill is a little timid and Rocky, who’s courageous.
Cyber Group Studios is an independent, multi-award-winning company which develops, produces and distributes its own and third party audiovisual productions and brands with 3D CGI and 2D HD-animated productions.
“Children have always been fascinated by dinosaurs and they will immediately relate to these unique characters, who, like them, are just beginning to assert their independence and learn about the importance of being themselves and being a good friend,” said Pierre Sissmann, chairman and CEO of Cyber Group Studios.
I asked Sissmann, how close the show was to Jonny Duddle’s books. “The TV show is inspired by Jonny’s book with its five main characters, the four little Dinos and Gigantosaurus; the series develops the relationship between Giganto and the Dino kids while they experience growing up together in a new environment away from their homes.” He went on to state that “the show has been in production for two years” and there “are currently 52 different episodes”.
What kind of themes does it tackle? I asked. “Friendship, teamwork, and building self-confidence are some of the core themes”, said Sissmann. “The series showcases the importance of friendship and the relatable experiences of growing up, as our young Dinos dare to be themselves and explore new environments, interacting with different creatures of various ages and learning how to get along with them all.”
But it’s not just about teaching kids life lessons, it’s also a lot of fun to watch. “The show is also fiercely funny – it was important for us to create a series that makes kids laugh!”
As with any show appearing on Disney Junior, children will be keen to extend the fun from the screen to the playroom. The toys will be available to try at at New York Toy Fair in February. I the meantime I had an early look at designs for the Giganto and Friends Figure Play Set and asked Jill Nordquist, Senior Vice President Marketing, JAKKS Pacific how they selected the characters to turn into toys?
“We are focusing the range on the key five characters (Bill, Mazu, Tiny, Rocky, and Giganotosaurus). These five characters appear in every episode and kids will become well acquainted with them.”
Will other characters feature at a later date in the toy line? “We have an assortment of single pack figures that include some of the other dinosaurs that are in the show that we roll into the mix based on their prominence.”
I asked Nordquist, what play elements the toys will offer? “Dinosaurs have been a proven play pattern for kids for ages which make this property a natural for toys! We will be focusing on basic figural play/storytelling (with our figures), vehicle play (with our vehicle assortment), nurturing play (with our plush) and sensation play/storytelling (with our large feature Giganto that has lights and sounds).”
As children often like to recreate the on screen adventures when they play, I asked whether the toys will relate to specific stories in the show? “The toys will allow for storytelling but won’t emulate specific storylines from the show. There will, however, be items with features that are reminiscent of characters from the show (e.g., there is a feature Giganto that makes stomping and roaring sounds just like in the character does in the show).”
The combination of toys, cartoons, children and dinosaurs does look like a great mix. Add to that a theme song that is co-written and performed by LA-based children’s group, The BeatBuds and it will be a surprise if this doesn’t make a significant splash.
Gigantosaurus is scheduled to premiere at 9 a.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 18, on Disney Channel and its app.
