'The Powerpuff Girls' to Bust Onto Big Screen

    ATLANTA, June 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Pictures and Cartoon Network
 will join forces to bring the animated feature film based on Cartoon Network's
 hit series, "The Powerpuff Girls," to the big screen, it was announced today
 by Betty Cohen, President of Cartoon Network Worldwide, and Lorenzo di
 Bonaventura, President, Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.
     Supervised by the show's creator Craig McCracken, the film will be the
 first-ever feature based on an original Cartoon Network show.  This
 collaboration also marks the first production of a full-length animated film
 at the newly opened Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, California.  "The
 Powerpuff Girls" is targeted for a summer 2002 release by Warner Bros.
 Pictures.
     Nominated for an Emmy Award in 1999 and named one of TV Guide's "Top 10
 New Kids Shows," "The Powerpuff Girls" airs weeknights at 8:30 p.m. on Cartoon
 Network.  Dainty, daring and downright dynamite, the Powerpuff Girls were
 created by Professor Utonium when he mixed a formula of sugar, spice and
 everything nice to conjure the perfect little girls.  But he accidentally
 supercharged his concoction by adding a mysterious fourth ingredient, Chemical
 X, resulting in the world's cutest superheroes: Bubbles, Blossom and
 Buttercup, the Powerpuff Girls.  Now, every time danger threatens their home
 of Townsville, these crayon-carrying crimefighters fly in to save the day.
 And like good girls, they always do it before bedtime.
     "From the first time we saw the original Powerpuff Girls short back in
 1995, we knew we had special characters who would strike a chord with kids and
 teens today," Cohen said.  "The combination of great animation, timely girl
 power and the show's nod to the hot design style of Japanese animation has
 enabled 'The Powerpuff Girls' to hit on all cylinders, from television to
 merchandising and now to movies."
     "'The Powerpuff Girls' has become one of television's hottest and most
 critically recognized properties," di Bonaventura added.  "Bubbles, Blossom
 and Buttercup are icons of cool and we are delighted to work with Cartoon
 Network in bringing their unique 'girl power' to the big screen for the first
 time."
     "The Powerpuff Girls" regularly ranks as one of the top-rated programs on
 the Cartoon Network, with broad appeal among both boys and girls and a loyal
 following from teens and adults.  The Powerpuff Girls toys, apparel and other
 merchandise have skyrocketed in popularity in retail outlets nationwide.
     Cartoon Network, currently seen in 63.4 million U.S. homes, is Turner
 Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, ad-supported cable service offering the
 best in animated entertainment.  Drawing from the world's largest cartoon
 library, Cartoon Network also showcases unique original ventures such as
 Courage the Cowardly Dog, Mike, Lu & Og, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy,
 Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, Dexter's Laboratory and Cartoon Cartoons.
 Since its launch in 1992, Cartoon Network has remained one of ad-supported
 cable's highest-rated networks.  Cartoon Network's Web site is located at
 http://CartoonNetwork.com.
     Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., is a
 major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the
 leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.
 
 

SOURCE  Cartoon Network