The Blues Brothersare back! And this time, Jake Blues lives! Yes,Blues BrothersoriginatorDan AykroydandJohn Belushi’s widow Judy have teamed up with Bento Box Entertainment (the company behindBob’s Burgers) for a new half-hour animated prime time comedy adventure series, which will be shopped to various TV networks starting this month. Maybe most exciting is the fact that the music in the show will take precedence over the action and comedy.
The Blues Brothersseries was co-created and will be executive produced by original Blues BrotherDan Aykroyd,Judy Belushiand Emmy-winning originalSaturday Night LivewriterAnne Beatts. Each half-hour will be devoted to the music, mayhem and comedy first seen in the original 1980 movie and its 1998 sequel.Jake and Elwood Blueswill reunite with their infamous Blues Brothers band, taking their act on the road. Their home base will still be Chicago, with soul, blues and R&B classics the backbone of the narrative. Music is described as the third main character in the animated comedy according toDeadline.
Each episode will feature its own score and soundtrack curated with iconic classics and original Blues Brothers numbers. And the show will have all-new performances recorded by the original Blues Brothers band along with various guest musicians and performers. Says Dan Aykroyd.
“The show will be the Blues Brothers living in America and utilizing all new technology to make and promote their own records, seek out and record new artists and avoid law enforcement - and all while fighting for truth, justice and a better breakfast sandwich.”
The Blues Brothersanimated series has been in the works for over a decade. Back in 1997,DanandJudylicensed the rights to Film Roman, the company behindThe Simpsons, for an animated sitcom created byDavid Misch. It was slated to premiere in the fall of 1998 on UPN, but it never made it to air. It isn’t known how many episodes were produced.
In 2011,AykroydandBelushibegan once again pitching the show to various networks in an attempt to rebuildThe Blues Brothers franchise. There were also a number of other related projects said to be in the works at the time. 5 years later, the show is now at Bento Box Entertainment, where it will also be executive produced by Bento Box’sScott GreenbergandJoel Kuwahara, Rehab Entertainment’sJohn W. Hydeand Blues Brothers' managerEric Gardner. SaysGreenbergabout the project.
“It is such a privilege for us to be able to produce the work of the very same people who played such an instrumental role in creating one of the most iconic, multi-faceted comedy and music brands of all time. Now we all have the rare opportunity to translate the timeless comic genius of Dan and John from live-action to animation, while offering an entirely new generation of Blues Brothers fans the chance to appreciate them.”
The Blues Brothersmade their debut onSaturday Night Liveway back in 1978.Steve Martinlater asked the duo to be his opening act at a Universal Amphitheater show. This lead to an Atlantic Records recording contract and the classic first movie. The band consisting of Stax recording starsSteve CropperandDonald “Duck " Dunn, blues legendMatt “Guitar” Murphyand drummerSteve JordanjoinedAykroydandBelushifor a sold-out nationwide tour that same summer. They released the first movie in 1980, which earned over $100 million worldwide.
At this time, it isn’t known whenThe Blues Brothersanimated series may make its debut. Nor is it known who else will be on board for the voice roles. WhileAykroydwill likely reprise his role as Elwood, it isn’t known who will take over for Jake.John Belushi’s brotherJames Belushistepped in to take on the role of “Brother” Zee Blues, withJohn Goodmantaking on the role of “Mighty” Mack McTeer in both the sequel and on stage. This will be the first time that another actor has taken on the role of Jake Blues in any official capacity sinceBelushiplayed him in the 1980 movie.
