Much-loved American musical comedy The Blues Brothers, which grew into a cult anti-establishment film, is set to live on as an animated series.
But if it's anything like the film don't expect it to be a politically correct kid's cartoon. Bento Box Entertainment, the Californian animation studios behind the distinctly offbeat Bob's Burgers, has signed on to make the series.
Dan Aykroyd, co-creator of the comedy skit and co-star in the film alongside the late John Belushi, will step up as a co-creator and executive producer on the new series, along with widow, Judy Belushi, reports The Hollywood Reporter. The episodes will feature Jake and Elwood out on the road again, with a specially curated soundtrack featuring classic hits plus new tracks.
Aykroyd said it would bring the Blues Brothers into the 21st-century. "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," he said.
The 1980 romp, which popularised the phrases "We're on a mission from God" and "We're putting the band back together" – and wearing sunglasses at night – was one of the most expensive comedies ever made at the time.
It cost $US27.5 million (an estimated $US80 million today), roughly $US10 million over budget. But after a modest opening grew into a cult film that earned over $US115 million, making it one of the highest grossing comedies of all-time.
Belushi's partying during filming was legendary and the film included multiple car crashes (an estimated 60 police cars were destroyed during filming), a building collapse and employed several huge music stars on its way to becoming a high watermark for music in film.
The Blues Brothers' musical interludes included performances by Aretha Franklin (who sang Think), Ray Charles (Shake a Tail Feather), James Brown and Chaka Khan (The Old Landmark) and John Lee Hooker (Boom Boom).
Within two years Belushi would die from a drug overdose at age 33.
An ill-fated sequel was made in 1998, Blues Brothers 2000, also starring Dan Ackroyd. It was a critical disaster.
