Cheech and Chong get animated
By Michael Knox, mknox@modernfilmzine.com
Cheech and Chong fans will get a chance to see their favorite characters animated in a feature film and it’s a project that at least one of the actors is feeling he can be relaxed about.
“It’s great to be doing a movie where Cheech and I never have to get out of bed or be on-camera,” Tommy Chong stated in a news release. “The fans have already shown us they love the material, and the animated bits play funnier by being able to see the character reactions. I highly suggest watching it while smoking a big fattie!”
Chong’s comedy partner, Cheech Marin, agreed.
“During this age of feature animation everywhere, it’s about time that we got animated because we’ve been doing animation without the animation for years” Marin said in a news release. “Whether you watch it smokin’ a fattie or stone cold sober, it’s just plain funny!”
Cheech and Chong co-wrote and starred in a total of eight feature films, all directed by Chong, but this will the first time the two have appeared together in an animated movie.
Eric and Branden Chambers, of Chambers Bros. Entertainment, are directing the animation and created the concept.
“We feel that Cheech and Chong’s special brand of comedy appeals to multiple generations,” Eric Chambers said. ”By lending a unique animation style to these classic and timeless bits, we are able to transform the comedy into something fresh, exciting and even more hilarious than ever before.”
Cheech and Chong created nine albums from 1972 to 1985, and were nominated for four Grammy Awards, according to their Website. They won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album with their third album, “Los Cochinos,” released in 1973.
The two were able to build on their record albums’ success to develop their 1978 feature film, “Up In Smoke,” which topped $100 million at the box office, according to their Website.
An exclusive deal was made with music mogul Lou Adler, owner of Ode Records, for the animated movie rights to the classic Cheech and Chong library of recorded comedy content.
The duo recently went on their first tour in more than 25 years, with “Cheech & Chong: Light Up America” with sell out crowds at many shows, something Adler said can only help the animated film find a larger fanbase.
“With Cheech and Chong reunited and selling out venues worldwide, the timing couldn’t be more perfect for this unique, one-of-a-kind animated feature,” Adler said.
Updates and info about the project will be available for fans and press at www.smokinanimation.com
