Gabriel and the Wacky Pack

Gabriel and the Wacky Pack is a 2011 American computer-animated 3D buddy-comedy film loosely based on The Wacky Pack comic book series created by Geo G. It was produced by Blur Studio and Geo LTD. Pictures. It is Blur Studio's first film. It is also Geo LTD's first computer-animated film since The Nut Box (2001). It was directed by Tim Miller, David Stinnett, and Geo. The film is set in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, the main setting of the series, and it stars the voices of Zachary Gordon, Geo G., E.G. Daily, Nicky Jones, Jake T. Austin, Jennifer Hale, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laurence Fishburne, Ariel Winter, and Rob Paulsen.

Development for a Wacky Pack film adaptation started as far back as 1991. Geo LTD. and Blur Studio acquired film rights for The Wacky Pack comic book series in 2004 after the release of Gopher Broke. The founders of Blur, David Stinnett, Tim Miller and Cat Chapman, created a model of Roge, Leno and Cole and some animation tests to showcase their design ideas to Geo G. The main voice actors were approached in 2007. Production of the film began in June 2010, and finished in October 2011.

The film made it's world premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on October 21, 2011, and Universal Pictures released the film in the United States on November 27, 2011 and received generally positive reviews by both fans and film critics, with critics praising its humor and character development. It was also a box office success, grossing over $439 million in the United States and $538 million worldwide. It launched a franchise with a series of films, including a sequel in 2014, to be followed by a third film in 2017. A fourth film was announced for a 2019 release, but has since been removed from its schedule due to the studio's restructuring. In addition, two spin-offs, titled Wacky Pack and Lars and The Vocaloids, were announced for 2016 and 2018 release dates.

Plot
Gabriel Garcia is a smart 10-year-old boy who is the adapted owner of Roge, Leno, Cole, Loy and the Lars. He also had a midnight "party" in his room with them, which have so much fun. One day, Roge, Leno, Cole and three Lars (Ted, John and Cody) were off at top of a cell tower, which was located at Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, to take a photo for a "cell tower surfing" portrait. Suddenly, the surfboard that Roge, Leno, Cole, John and Cody were on starts to move slowy to the ledge and begins to surf without the water like in air. Their brother and scientist Loy gives Gabriel and the lars the safest moment to spring up being bipedal. After the Wacky Pack interrupt a meeting with his wild antics, Loy has a talk with his brother Roge and his partner Gabriel, in which he tells them that he's a scientist and inventor, and never be happy if Gabriel and the Wacky Pack just goof off. Gabriel and Roge ignore their advices and have fun with Leno and Cole. That same day, Roge meets a new yet imaginary girl named Blues.

That night, Gabriel and his gang throw a massive party in his room; all the imaginary friends including the lars are there except Loy, who is making a invention in his lab. Roge is assigned his shift along with him, but he talks himself out of it, saying that he's needed for a certain role in the midnight party room. Loy talks with Roge and says that he was called by people a "coolest scientist in the world." Roge is given the privilege to party out, and the thankful brother runs to Gabriel's room.

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Cast

 * Further information: List of The Wacky Pack characters


 * Zachary Gordon as Gabriel Garcia, an creative, smart 10-year-old boy who is the owner of a small wacky pack, Roge, Leno and Cole.
 * Geo G. as Roge, the first and the leader of the wacky pack who wears a red cap.
 * E.G. Daily as Leno, the second of the wacky pack who is very intelligent and known for his rebellious attitude and was named after the famous talk host Jay Leno.
 * Nicky Jones as Cole, the third of the wacky pack who is afraid of everything.
 * Jake T. Austin as Loy, Roge, Leno and Cole's bigger brother.
 * Jennifer Hale as Blues, a small imaginary girl who betrayed Roge for some reason.
 * Sarah Jessica Parker as Christine Garcia, Gabriel's mother who takes care of her son.
 * Laurence Fishburne as Marvin Garcia, Gabriel's father and Christine's former husband.
 * Ariel Winter as Desiree Garcia, Gabriel's older sister.
 * Rob Paulsen as Nicholas Garcia, Gabriel's older brother who moved away to Japan.
 * Frank Welker as Roxy, a Cocker Spaniel and Gabriel's pet dog. Welker also voiced Kratos, Gabriel's former pet dog and was moved to Michael.
 * Alex Borstein as Pat, Gabriel's neighbor.
 * Grey DeLisle as Gaby, Gabriel's girlfriend when he was little.
 * Tara Strong as Bella, Gaby's liitle sister.
 * Hynden Walch as Nancy, a student who was waylaying Gabriel.
 * Tim Miller as Jim, Tom, Dan, Jerry, Jack, Sam, Jeff and Max, eight of the lars.
 * David Stinnett as Gary, Ben, Peter and Ted, four of the lars.
 * Cat Chapman as John and Cody, two of the lars.

Late 1980s
In December 1989, the series' creator Geo G. was asked about a Wacky Pack film. He replied: "We're not going to announcing a Wacky Pack film because we're really, really busy right now. But don't worry, we'll think about it someday." In February 1990, Geo then said, "No plans yet, I'm still thinking about." but added the important statement: "Don't worry, I'll figure it out someday." He did add that there are "still no plans yet." In May 1991, The New York Times says that the title was "well under way", with a release date likely in 1992.

Geo G. officially announced a Wacky Pack film in a press release on September 5, 1991. Geo later announced a plot on the same day that the film would have Roge, Leno, Cole, Loy and the Lars are going on a "super duper longest" adventure ever and stop Vio and his minions for taking over the universe. However, the release date for the film is yet to be known. Geo later announced that film would be completely animated.

New Line/Columbia
In September 1992, it was announced that New Line Cinema, a film studio that merged with larger sister studio Warner Bros. in 2008, had acquired the film rights of The Wacky Pack and would distribute the film with the series' creator Geo G. directing the film. In November, Cinergi Pictures announced that they would co-produce the film with New Line Cinema in the US and Canada while the film was set to be distributed by The Walt Disney Company through Touchstone Pictures in other countries.

New Line and Cinergi Pictures started the production in July 1992, while the traditional animation was handled by Film Roman. New Line Cinema was later acquired by Turner Entertainment in 1994 and the rights were eventually gaven to Columbia Pictures. Later, the animation was handeled by Columbia TriStar Feature Animation (Columbia TriStar CGA at Shanghai and Burbank until 1995, then by Sony Pictures Imageworks and Industrial Light & Magic until 1996). Geo commented in early 1995, saying "we are still working on it, but we can announce the date, but it will be too soon."

Warner Bros.
In 1996, Columbia Pictures gave the distribution rights to Warner Bros. Pictures. Following the Turner-Time Warner merger, Castle Rock Entertainment and Hanna-Barbera Productions were set to produce the film with Cinergi, but Cinergi Pictures closed down in 1997.

In March 1997, it was reported that Geo G. took over Geo's 1st Movie putting the film on hold. He replied, "Sorry, I'm working on another movie. But don't worry, we'll resume the production of the movie that we're working on." In August 1997, Geo G. confirmed that he had "no big plans for the plot for the film yet."

Geo LTD/DreamWorks
In 1998, the film rights were finally gaven to Geo LTD. In June 1998, the film had resumed the production of the film. In 2000, Geo LTD. was purchased by DreamWorks on November 2, 2000. Geo LTD. and PDI worked closely to each other for around 5 years (under the DreamWorks parent company; Geo LTD. Animation continued the work for another 5 years) on the film then entitled The Wacky Pack Movie.

Steve Samono, one of Geo G's partners, has said that it is "a funny title based on the comic series of the same name. Well, of the title The Wacky Pack and not of the title Movie, of course. Just didn't want to confuse you." In July 2001, Geo and E.G. Daily confirmed that they are reprising their roles as Roge and Leno in the film, but Tara Strong was retired because she refused to reprise her role as Cole.

Blur Studio
In 2004, after the release of Blur Studio's short film Gopher Broke, Geo LTD. and Blur started courting Geo G. on getting the adaptation rights for The Wacky Pack. The founders of Blur, David Stinnett, Tim Miller and Cat Chapman, created a model of Roge, Leno and Cole and some animation tests to showcase their design ideas to Geo G. Blur Studio later confirmed that they would start the development of the film in a press release on October 18, 2004. Tim Miller, one of the founders of Blur, replied: "When I was a teenager, I used have every issue of The Wacky Pack, and now we're working on a movie about the comic book series, and it will be completely CGI-animated, it will not be a live-action/CGI film with the humans in real life."

In July 2007, following of the announcement of Geo LTD. ending its deal with Paramount this year, Cat Chapman announced that she would produce the film with David Fincher co-producing the film with Chapman. The lead voice actors were approached in October 2007. Max Records was originally going to voice Gabriel Garcia, but had other commitments outside production; he was later replaced by Zachary Gordon. On November 13, 2007, it was announced that Nicky Jones would voice Cole, replacing Tara Strong in the role. In December 2007, it was reported that Jennifer Hale had joined the cast to voice the villain, Blues (originally Lopa), with Jake T. Austin, Sarah Jessica Parker, Laurence Fishburne, and Ariel Winter joining the cast for the film.

In February 2008, Al Shier and Jeff Fowler were hired to write the script, to be directed by Miller, Stinnett, and Geo. In March 2008, it was announced that the film would be titled Gabriel and the Wacky Pack. Miller, Stinnett and Chapman confirmed in May that they would voice the Lars. On August 17, 2008, it was announced that Terry Ward and Steve Samono would be the executive producers of the film. In June 2009, Blur signed a multi-year arrangement with Geo LTD. to develop and produce computer-animated films, including a Zane the Cool Kid remake and a new Geo film.

Pre-production
In August 2009, it was announced that the film is in pre-production. In October 2009, Geo LTD. confirmed that the film is scheduled to be released in 2011, and that Universal Pictures would distribute the film.

On March 16, 2010, Blur announced that composer Heitor Pereira would compose the film's music, along with Randy Newman. In October 2009, Geo LTD. confirmed that the film was currently in production in June 2010. On July 11, 2010, Blur officially released the very first rendered screenshot of the film. Production eventually wrapped up in October 2011.

Animation
The animation was, this time, produced by Universal Animation Studios and animated by Blur Studio and Geo LTD. Animation. Universal Animation Studios was almost ready with animation production when Universal Animation Studios focused on the other projects, left the production team and it was completed by Geo LTD. Animation afterwards.

Release
In November 2009, Universal set the film for a release date of October 7, 2011, and later November 27, 2011. The teaser trailer for the film was attached to Tangled, released in theaters on November 24, 2010. A theatrical trailer was later released on May 25, 2011. It was then attached with Kung Fu Panda 2. The last theatrical trailer is attached to the 3D re-release of The Lion King which was released September 16, 2011. The world premiere of Gabriel and the Wacky Pack took place on October 21, 2011, at TCL Chinese Theatre, and was released by Universal Pictures in the United States and Canada on November 27, 2011.

Marketing
Several merchandise were made for Gabriel and the Wacky Pack, such as toys and figurines. Universal teamed up with several major companies to promote the film, including McDonald's, who included 8 toys in their Happy Meals featuring the main characters, and Airheads, who made limited-edition flavors "Lar Flavor" and "The Wacky Pack's Strawberry Taste".

Home media
Gabriel and the Wacky Pack was released in the United States and Canada on DVD and Blu-ray on March 12, 2012, with a standalone single-disc DVD release being released on that same day. The United Kingdom release date was April 19, 2012, and the Australian release date was May 23, 2012. The release includes a new short film, titled How Gabriel Met Gabriela. It also includes Blur Studio's Academy Award-nominated short film Gopher Broke.

Gabriel and the Wacky Pack is available in 4 different packages: a 4-disc "Wacky Edition" combination package (3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy), a 3-disc "Wacky Edition" combination package (Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Copy), a 2-disc "Wacky Edition" combination package (DVD and Digital Copy), and a single disc DVD. The "Digital Copy" included with the 3-disc combination package is a separate disc that allows users to download a copy of the film to a computer through iTunes or Windows Media Player software. The 3-disc combination package also comes with an hour of bonus features.

The film was re-issued on Blu-ray and DVD on October 5, 2014. It includes a movie ticket to Gabriel and the Wacky Pack 2.

Video game
A video game based on the film was published by Activision and released on November 22, 2011, for the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Universal Odyssey, Starfish Marin, PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360.

Soundtrack
Gabriel and the Wacky Pack: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack album for the film, released on November 15, 2011 through Geo LTD. Records. It contains several new songs from the film written, produced, performed, and/or composed by Randy Newman, including the highly successful single "Life of Myself" which promoted the album.

Track listing
All music composed by Randy Newman, except as noted.

Coming soon!

Critical reception
Gabriel and the Wacky Pack has received positive reviews from critics. Based on 87 reviews, the film holds a 94% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus stating "Gabriel and the Wacky Pack is an fun masterpiece for the whole family". On Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has an average score of 62 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Box office
The film grossed $68,368,836 on it's opening weekend, being released in 4,200 theaters, leaving it #2 during the weekend behind The Muppets. The film grossed $445,627,853 in North America and $84,942,573 in other countries, with a total gross of $389,300,952 worldwide, making the film a box office success.

Accolades
Sequels and spin-offs

Because of its critical and commercial success, Gabriel and the Wacky Pack had launched a franchise since 2012. The first sequel, titled Gabriel and the Wacky Pack 2, was released on November 21, 2014. On July 15, 2014, Geo LTD. announced planned sequels to follow Gabriel 2, with the third film on October 20, 2017 and a fourth for November 29, 2019. However on May 13, 2015, the fourth film has since been removed from its schedule due to the studio's restructuring. In December 2014, two specials were announced. A crossover with Geo, titled Geo and the Wacky Pack, is set to be aired on NBC in May 2016. A Christmas special is set to be aired on NBC in November 2016.

A spin-off reboot/prequel film featuring Roge, Leno, Cole and the lars as the main characters, titled Wacky Pack and Lars, is scheduled to be released on November 11, 2016. It was first announced on July 15, 2014 along with Gabriel and the Wacky Pack 3 and Gabriel and the Wacky Pack 4. Written by Keith Lango, it will be directed by David Stinnett and Jeff Fowler, and produced by Cat Chapman. The film will based on the first issue of The Wacky Pack.

On December 24, 2014, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that, due to the popularity of the Vocaloids from Gabriel and the Wacky Pack 2, the characters will get their own spin-off film. According to the report, Universal was targeting a August 10, 2018 release date for the spin-off. Idina Menzel is set to reprise her role of Hatsune Miku, while David Fincher, who was the co-producer of the first film, will direct the film which is being written by Tim Miller and produced by Geo G. and Al Shier.