Disney Junior Set To Produce First Original Telefilm

Disney announced via a press release that Disney Junior's first original movie, "Lucky Duck," is set to premiere during summer 2014 on Disney Junior in the U.S., and then go to other Disney Junior channels worldwide.

The animated film follows a rubber duck named Lucky as he tries to find his way home after being thrown off a cargo ship, teaming up with a group of misfit tub toys for assistance. "Smash" actors Megan Hilty and Christian Borle, as well as Tom Cavanagh from "Royal Pains," will be doing voice work for the film.

The screenplay was written by Michael G. Stern, a WGA-award winner who has penned numerous children's television show episodes, including Disney's "Handy Manny" and "Imagination Movers."

Disney Junior is producing the film in association with Nelvana Limited, the animation company that produced "Handy Manny," among many other children's television shows, such as "Max and Ruby" and "Franklin and Friends."

In a press release announcing production of "Lucky Duck," Joe D’Ambrosia, Vice President of Original Programming at Disney Junior said, “We’re eager to introduce young kids and their parents to our first Disney Junior Original Movie, an exciting adventure with a heart-warming message about never giving up, despite all odds. We hope that this new TV movie format will create an even stronger family viewing destination to further deliver on our brand promise of imaginative characters and storytelling with heart.”

The news is big for Disney Junior. Today, the Hollywood Reporter wrote that "there are 33 Disney Junior channels in 24 languages around the world," and that "So far this year, the top four cable TV series among kids 2-5 and total viewers are Disney Junior shows."

Taking an idea and turning it into a screenplay could bring big rewards. See Cameron Cubbison's ScreenCraft post Storyboards for Writers, which discusses a way to create storyboards online and see your idea come to life.