The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants is an American animated television series produced by DreamWorks Animation Television. Developed for television by Peter Hastings and Mark Banker, it is a sequel to the 2017 feature film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, based on the Captain Underpants book series by Dav Pilkey.[2][3]

The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants
Season 1 promotional poster
Also known asThe Epic Tales of Captain Underpants: Camp (season 3)
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants in Space! (season 4)
GenreAction comedy[1]
Family[1]
Created byDav Pilkey
Based onCaptain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
by David Soren
Developed byPeter Hastings
Mark Banker
Voices of
Narrated bySean Astin
Theme music composerPeter Hastings
ComposersJared Faber
Fred Kron
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes45 (plus 3 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerPeter Hastings
Running time21 minutes
Production companyDreamWorks Animation Television
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseJuly 13, 2018 (2018-07-13) –
December 4, 2020 (2020-12-04)

The show's first season was released on Netflix on July 13, 2018, its second season releasing on February 8, 2019, its third season, Camp, releasing on July 19, 2019, and its fourth season, The Epic Adventures of Captain Underpants in Space!, releasing on July 10, 2020. In 2023, Hastings confirmed that no further seasons were planned, with the next installment in the franchise being the 2025 feature film Dog Man.[4]

Premise

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The series revolves around the adventures of George Beard and Harold Hutchins, two best friends who are devoted pranksters and aspiring comic book artists. The two attend Jerome Horwitz Elementary School, overseen by the strict principal Mr. Krupp, who was hypnotized by George and Harold to become their comic book character Captain Underpants[1], a brief-wearing superhero in a red cape and underpants, whenever he hears the sound of fingers snapping. Conversely, Captain Underpants turns back into Krupp after getting wet. Both personalities remain ignorant of the other.

Most episodes deal with a threat to the school brought about by an ordinary person, often a teacher, being turned into a monster depicted in George and Harold's comics through intentionally contrived coincidences.

A cyborg future version of George and Harold's nemesis Melvin takes over the school and replaces Mr. Krupp so he can get his younger self into Eliteanati Academy.

The third season involves George and Harold heading to a summer camp, with them having to deal with Mr. Krupp being the camp instructor and the eventful hijinx of the camp owned by the Federation of United National Camps (AKA the F.U.N.C.).

The fourth season involves George and Harold being recruited for a mysterious mission in space, but by the second episode, Melvin, George and Harold's enemy, gets captured by Biglyans.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
113July 13, 2018 (2018-07-13)
213February 8, 2019 (2019-02-08)
Camp13July 19, 2019 (2019-07-19)
In Space!6July 10, 2020 (2020-07-10)
Specials3October 8, 2019 (2019-10-08)December 4, 2020 (2020-12-04)

Cast

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Main

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  • Nat Faxon as Benjamin "Benny" Krupp/Captain Underpants
  • Ramone Hamilton as George Beard
  • Jay Gragnani as Harold Hutchins
  • Sean Astin as Narrator
  • Peter Hastings as Comic Narrator
  • Jorge Diaz as Melvin Sneedly, Stanley Peet, Mr. Rected, and Melvinborg
  • Erica Luttrell as Erica Wang

Supporting

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Production

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In April 2000, Dav Pilkey sought to adapt Captain Underpants into a possible television series, having imagined Chris Farley in the titular role prior to his death.[5] Soup2Nuts would subsequently attempted to produce an animated series based on the books later that decade.[6] On December 12, 2017, Netflix and DreamWorks Animation Television announced that there would be an animated series to follow up the feature film adaptation of the book series, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, entitled The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants.[7][8] Originally titled "Captain Underpants and the Epic Tales of George and Harold",[9] it premiered on the streaming service on July 13, 2018,[10] and was executive-produced by Peter Hastings. A second season was announced and to be released on February 8, 2019. The third season was announced to be released on July 19, 2019. A new series, which contained six episodes, was announced to be released on July 10, 2020.

In October 2019, Netflix released a 46-minute Halloween special of the series titled The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-Ween.[11] In February 2020, an interactive special titled Captain Underpants: Epic Choice O' Rama was released. In December 2020, a 46-minute Christmas special titled Captain Underpants: Mega Blissmas was released.[12] In 2023, co-showrunner Peter Hastings confirmed that no further seasons were planned, with the next installment in the franchise being the 2025 feature film Dog Man.[4]

Release

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The series was first released on Netflix on July 13, 2018. The second season was released on February 8, 2019,[13] and the third season was released on July 19, 2019. The series also aired in the UK on CITV.[12] In 2023, co-showrunner Peter Hastings confirmed that no further seasons were planned, with the next installment in the franchise being the 2025 feature film Dog Man.[4]

Notes

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1.^ As depicted in Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
2.^ Animation was handled by Titmouse, Inc.'s Canadian studio

References

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  1. ^ a b Moore, Kasey (December 4, 2020). "The Epic Tales Of Captain Underpants". What's on Netflix. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Kofi Outlaw. "Netflix and DreamWorks Announce She-Ra, Trolls, Captain Underpants and More". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "Netflix, DreamWorks Partner for Six Animated Shows in 2018, Including 'Trolls,' 'Boss Baby' Series". Variety. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Peter Hastings [@peterhastings] (September 6, 2023). "Hi Glad you like the show, we had fun making it. Currently there are no plans for more episodes, so unfortunately I think that's it! The next thing related to Dav Pilkey is the animated Dog Man movie which will come out in about in about a year and a half." – via Instagram.
  5. ^ Heller, Karen (April 26, 2000). "His Books Let Him Stay Class Clown, Even At 34". Philly.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  6. ^ Rogan, Stephen (November 29, 2021). Stephen Rogan's Demo Reel from Soup2Nuts. Soup2Nuts. Retrieved July 24, 2022 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Maglio, Tony (December 12, 2017). "'She-Ra' Scores Netflix Reboot Through DreamWorks Animation". TheWrap. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Sarto, Dan (June 25, 2018). "Netflix to Debut DreamWorks' 'The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants' on July 13". Animation World Network. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  9. ^ horrible captain underpants intro storyboard. GBS Archive. Retrieved September 30, 2023 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (June 20, 2018). "DreamWorks 'Epic Tales of Captain Underpants' Opener Undressed". Animation Magazine. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
  11. ^ Trumbore, Dave (October 7, 2019). "Captain Underpants Halloween Special Clip Features Balloon Monsters". Collider. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Milligan, Mercedes (October 7, 2020). "Have Yourself an Animated Xmas with New Netflix Specials!". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  13. ^ Moore, Kasey (January 18, 2018). "The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Season 2 Coming to Netflix in February 2019". What's on Netflix. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
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