SpongeBob SquarePants fans have a lot to be excited for as the giddy sponge makes his return this spring in a brand new movie and TV series. Starting on March 4, 2021, Paramount+ will begin streaming SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge on the Run, the newest feature to star the merry citizens of Bikini Bottom. If that’s not enough, the streaming service will also be debuting the new prequel series, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years.
SpongeBob and Friends Return
Sponge on the Run finds SpongeBob and pals embarking on a mission to rescue his beloved snail Gary from the evil King Poseidon, testing the bonds of their friendships along the way. Meanwhile, Kamp Koral takes us back in time to the gang’s summer camp days, showing us how those friendships came to be.
“It’s interesting that it would happen to be released now, during a time when we all miss our friends so,” Carolyn Lawrence, who voices Sandy Cheeks, told Parentology. “A lot of us realized just how important they truly are, and that you take those relationships for granted.”
Fans of the sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea have been waiting especially long for his newest adventures. Both Sponge on the Run and Kamp Koral were slated to premiere last July but were delayed partially due to COVID-19.
Thankfully, the March 4 launch of Paramount+ will allow families to stream both from the comfort of their living rooms and experience the franchise’s spiffy new 3D animation.
New Look For Sponge on the Run and Kamp Koral
For the cast of the long-running animated series, the new look holds the promise of even wackier hijinks to come for their characters.
“As someone playing a character for so long, it gives you new fun things to play with,” said Lawrence. “It gives you a whole new library of experiences that your character gets to go through, so that’s been a blast.”
Meanwhile Bill Fagerbakke, the voice of Patrick Star, found the chance to play a younger version of the character in Kamp Koral a great opportunity for more starfish antics.
“Anything that opens up the door for the writers to give us more fun stuff to do is great, and they’re having so much fun,” he said.
Giving Voice to Bikini Bottom
While the look may be new, the characters are brought to life by the same legendary voice cast who have entertained fans for years — and haven’t missed a step.
“I love it, this is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid,” said the voice of SpongeBob himself, Tom Kenny. For the longtime voiceover artist, working on the show remains exciting over 20 years after its debut.
“That’s across the board with the cast,” he said. “Everyone’s still jazzed to be playing these characters, and when they get in the studio and get recording, it’s a 1999 energy level, maybe even more so.”
Part of the cast’s indelible chemistry comes from the fact that they traditionally record their speaking parts together in the same room — an unusual practice for animated shows.
“When this show was forged, we had no interest in doing it any other way than being all together in the same room,” said Kenny. “I think that kind of gave the show a special flavor.”
Honoring a Legacy
The decision to record together was one of many made by show creator Stephen Hillenburg that have ensured its success over the years. Sadly, Hillenburg passed away in 2018, but those who helped him create the world of Bikini Bottom hope to honor his memory with their work.
“I think this movie is kind of our tribute to him, and the idea of friendship and the friendship theme is all because we miss Steve so much,” said Clancy Brown, who provides the voice of Mr. Krabs.
“As long as we can continue to hold forth with the tribute to Stephen Hillenburg and his character and his heart and his vision — as long as we continue to reflect that in an authentic way, I think that’s what’s most important to me,” said Fagerbakke.
SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge on the Run and Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years will have their streaming premiere on March 4, 2021 on Paramount+.
Related Stories
Nickelodeon Goes Off Air In Support Of Equality
“The Astronauts” – Nickelodeon Show Breaks The Mold & Soars High
Meet The Cast of “The Casagrandes” – Nickelodeon’s Hot Family Show
