Paramount Pictures Ireland, in association with TG4, has announced that The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water will be available for the first time through the Irish language in Irish cinemas nationwide. Dubbing production has begun in Dublin on this local project by Macalla Teoranta, the team who dub the popular SpongeBob Squarepants TV series that is broadcast on TG4. The first-of-its-kind movie will be released in both Irish and English on March 27th.
Based on the highly acclaimed Nickelodeon TV series, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water, from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, sees SpongeBob Squarepants, the world’s favourite sea dwelling invertebrate, come ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet. The movie, which has already grossed over $125m in the US, stars Antonio Banderas, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence and Mr. Lawrence. It is produced by Paul Tibbitt and Mary Parent. Based on the series “SpongeBob SquarePants” created by Stephen Hillenburg, with a story by Stephen Hillenburg & Paul Tibbitt and a screenplay by Glenn Berger & Jonathan Aibel and Paul Tibbitt. The film is directed by Paul Tibbitt. It is the first release by Paramount Animation, the animation division of Paramount Pictures.
Speaking about the unique project, Niamh McCaul the General Manager of Paramount Pictures in Ireland said:
[quote]We are delighted to have this opportunity to work with TG4 and release The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water in our national language. A first for a Hollywood studio, I hope Irish audiences will support this initiative in March when we celebrate all things Irish.[/quote]
The popular TV series SpongeBob Squarepants has been broadcast in English since 1999 and on TG4 through the Irish language since 2000. The timing of the movie release through Irish is particularly appropriate. March is a fantastic period of national celebration, with St.Patrick’s Festival and Seachtain na Gaeilge both taking place during the month.
Lís Ní Dhálaigh, Acquisitions & Output Director in TG4 said:
[quote]TG4 has been SpongeBob’s home in Ireland since 2000 and the series has been a prominent element of our kids’ schedule since then. For thousands of young people in Ireland, the characters in SpongeBob are Irish speakers! This first-ever nationwide theatrical release of a major kids movie in the Irish language illustrates TG4’s mission to provide an entertaining, engaging point of contact with the Irish language for kids everywhere. Tá muid ag súil go mór leis.[/quote]
Jane Farley from Macalla Teoranta adds:
[quote]We’re delighted to be giving SpongeBob and his gang a voice ‘as gaeilge’ on the big screen. We have a well established and experienced cast of actors who have voiced many hours of SpongeBob and are relishing this project. We’ve had fun dubbing the television series over the years but a cinema release in 3D is a new dimension![/quote]
Spongebob an Scannán: Spúinse as Uisce will be released in participating cinemas on March 27th .