Fans of TG4’s long-running SpongeBob Squarepants series will not have to switch to English following an announcement that the much anticipated film based on the underwater invertebrate is to be distributed to cinemas in both Irish and English.
SpongeBob an Scannán: Spúinse as Uisce is being dubbed in Dublin by Macalla Teoranta, the team who dub the popular SpongeBob TV series that has been broadcast in Irish on TG4 since 2000.
Directed by Paul Tibbit, the upcoming film is based on the series SpongeBob SquarePants created by Stephen Hillenburg and is the first release by Paramount Animation, the animation division of Paramount Pictures.
The part of Spongebob is played by Marcus Lamb, his side-kick Patrick is played by Lochlainn Ó Mearáin, Squidward is played by Brian Thunder, Karen by Sorcha Fox and Burger Beard is played by Brian Thunder. The popular Mr Krabs is played by Liam Heffernan while Sandy and Plankton are played by Carmel Stephens and Garrett Keogh respectively.
The launch will be supported by a trailer in Irish, TV advertising and an outdoor poster campaign in Irish.
The English edition, which has already grossed over $125 million in the US, stars Antonio Banderas, Tom Kenny and Clancy Brown.
Niamh McCaul the General Manager of Paramount Pictures in Ireland said: "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."
Commenting on the release, TG4’s Lís Ní Dhálaigh said: “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," said Macalla Teoranta's Jane Farley.
“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!”
Spongebob an Scannán: Spúinse as Uisce will be released in participating cinemas on March 27th.
