Marvel producer plans Pac-Man TV show
New computer-generated 3D show to feature social statements and a teenage Pac-Man
Former Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad has announced plans to develop a 3D television show based on Namco Bandai's Pac-Man.
A significant new Pac-Man announcement at E3 2010 had been widely trailed by Namco Bandai, in order to celebrate the character's 30th anniversary. However, the only new game title to be announced was the Mario Party-style Wii exclusive Pac-Man Party.
Instead, Arad showed a three-minute teaser trailer featuring computer-generated animation and stereoscopic 3D effects. The show's plot revolves around ghosts who are attempting to takeover Pac-Man's world.
Despite the name of the character, the lead is portrayed as a high school student in the show and the series' four key enemies - Pinky, Inky, Blinky and Clyde - will be allies.
"We wanted to keep Pac-Man the same lovable guy he has always been, but (put him) in the 21st century," said Arad - as reported by Variety.
"We (also) wanted to talk about real stories and… see how they can relate to our lives, being in high school and being a teenager. At the end of the day, it's the story of a reluctant hero," he added.
A Pac-Man cartoon show was created in the '80s, featuring a more literal translation of the original arcade game. Elements of the show were later incorporated into subsequent games, most notably 1984 coin-op Pac-Land.
"We feel we have a unique opportunity to have an action adventure, human interest story," said Arad.
"As a filmmaker, it's a unique opportunity to get to know the characters you play. We don't know what happened to Pac-Man's parents. He's the only yellow one in Pac-Land; what does that mean? Is it a social statement? We'll find out."