VEGGIETALES Co-Creator Teams with Disney Animator for New Faith-Based Series
By Movieguide® Staff
VEGGIETALES co-creator (and voice behind the iconic Larry the Cucumber) Mike Nawrocki, veteran Disney animator Tom Bancroft and producer Steve Taylor will head the new animated series THE DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS.
“I’m thrilled to see the DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS coming to life,” Nawrocki told the Christian Post. “The beginnings of the idea came to me over a dozen years ago. So, to get the opportunity to write a book series and now to move into animation — it is a longtime dream come true.”
Nawrocki said his prayer for the new series is to help kids “make a connection to the Bible and life of Jesus.”
Bancroft has worked on Disney classics such as THE LION KING, ALADDIN and TARZAN. Bancroft also worked in the animation department for previous VEGGIETALES projects, including theatrical success, JONAH: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE.
Early in 2021, the series launched a Kickstarter campaign which was canceled shortly after when a few issues arose with potential investors. The campaign raised $35,000 within the first few days.
“In the few days since our Kickstarter campaign launched we’ve had potential investors come forward to fund the series,” an update on the Kickstarter fundraiser stated. “Everyone is committed to Mike Nawrocki’s vision and agrees he should retain creative control over the series’ content — which was our main reason for choosing Kickstarter vs. traditional investor funding. As a result, we are suspending this Kickstarter campaign and hope to have more great news to share with you soon.”
According to The Christian Post, the first six episodes of THE DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS are based on Nawrocki’s book series of the same name.
“THE DEAD SEA SQUIRRELS (from Mike Nawrocki, co-creator of VeggieTales and voice of Larry the Cucumber) tells the story of Merle and Pearl, two 1st century squirrels from Israel who’ve been preserved in sea salt in a cave alongside the Dead Sea. When 10-year-old Michael discovers them 2000 years later and sneaks them home in his backpack, hijinks ensue after this salty couple reanimate and take their new friend on adventures full of action, humor, music, and character-building lessons,” the synopsis reads.
