Exclusive: Fox Developing Napoleon Dynamite Animated Series

An animated television series based on the 2004 film Napoleon Dynamite is currently in development at Fox, a network spokesperson has confirmed to FishbowlLA.

Most of the original cast from the 2004 cult favorite are on board to reprise their roles from the film, according to people familiar with the project. Actors lending their voices include Jon Heder as the title character Napoleon Dynamite, Efran Ramirez as Pedro, Aaron Ruell as Kip Dynamite and Jon Gries as Uncle Rico. Likewise Jared and Jerusha Hess, who created the characters and wrote and directed the film, are closely involved with the potential animated series.

If Fox picks up the project, which is in the pilot phase, it would make sense to plug the show into its Sunday night animation lineup, joining The Simpsons and Family Guy. With The Cleveland Show already renewed through 2011, Fox may have to cancel American Dad in order to make room for the new series on Sundays, or move one of the shows to a different night.

Jared and Jerusha Hess have a longstanding relationship with Fox, with the company’s Fox Searchlight arm having distributed Napoleon Dynamite as well as their latest film Gentlemen Broncos.

News of the potential series comes just a few days before the broadcaster holds its annual upfront presentation to advertisers in New York Monday.

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