Although SpongeBob's driver's license says his birthdate is July 14, 1986, Hillenburg joked that he is fifty in "sponge years". Any inkling of queerness suspected in public figures and fictional characters is quick to be pointed out by viewers and fans. [29] In October 2018, at the VIEW Conference in Turin, Italy, Paramount Animation president Mireille Soria revealed the plot for the film. He explained that SpongeBob actually has no specific age, but that he is old enough to be on his own and still be going to boating school. [36] In June 2020, it was announced that the film's theatrical release had been cancelled and it would instead be released through video on demand and CBS All Access in early 2021. Due to the lack of representation, the community is forced to search and find these figures in those that may not have openly disclosed they are LGBTQ+, or who are not at all but display certain gestures or interests that are ‘questionable’ similar to the attachment theory. This causes pressure to announce their sexuality of said characters so that they too could have an accurately captured hero in the media to look up to and admire. [21] It was then pushed back to August 2, 2019,[24] before being delayed nearly a year to July 31, 2020. Although representation of LGBTQ+ in the media is steadily increasing, there still lacks a balance between heterosexual characters and out LGBTQ+ characters: “Of the 879 regular characters expected to appear on broadcast scripted primetime programming this season, 90 (10.2%) were identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer.” according to, Despite the increase of representation for the community, there are often times where LGBTQ+ characters are. that he would be in the film. The following evidence is considered to be substantial of queer mannerisms and some of the most popular among fans on Twitter: Spongebob possibly alluding to classifying as ‘gay’ on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, However, the oppositional fan base denied the claim, and the evidence not enough because it is merely ‘comedic behavior.’. Hollywood: How should Latinx sound in the movies? Karen insists on having a romantic date with Plankton, locking down the Chum Bucket until he can prove he loves her. Since Canada's grosses are factored into American totals, Sponge on the Run finished first at the box office, and had the highest weekend total for a film since the start of the pandemic. However, for me and my two kids (aged 10 and 8), this dive into the deep sea wasn't as thrilling an adventure as we'd hoped for. It was also announced that Mia Michaels would be choreographing and Ali Dee Theodore would add an original song for the film. [53], On July 30, 2020, it was announced that the series would be released on CBS All Access, the ViacomCBS streaming service, in early 2021. That’s why I am me,” he said. Information is taken from the opening credits of each episode. Nickelodeon's 21-year old character, Spongebob Squarepants, came out as gay — or so many fans speculate. July 31 (as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic),[35] and finally August 7, 2020. On June 13, Nickelodeon tweeted “Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month,” accompanying it with pictures of three of its LGBTQ+ characters — including Spongebob who they had not previously identified on the spectrum — sporting an array of colors. The film was produced by Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies, and United Plankton Pictures, with animation provided by Mikros Image. [19], The film was initially scheduled for release in 2019,[20][21] before being delayed to 2020. [1][2] The season began airing on October 22, 2020. [23], In March 2017, Paramount president Marc Evans announced that the studio would work closely with Viacom on its TV brands, including the SpongeBob film. The film is dedicated to creator Stephen Hillenburg, who died in 2018. Considering that Frozen is different from many princess movies Disney has created in terms of their falling for princes, Elsa has never shown any interest or pursued another character in a romantic manner. Directed and written by series developer and former series writer Tim Hill, who co-wrote the story with Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger,[8][2] it is the first film in the franchise to be fully animated in stylized CGI rather than traditional 2D animation. Nickelodeon's 21-year old character, Spongebob Squarepants, came out as gay — or so many fans speculate, Homosexuality’s ‘Comedy Gig’ in Early Media, Mr. Krabs expresses his interest in Mrs. Some even took it as far as to question Spongebob’s gender claiming he may actually be female. Whether Spongebob really is gay or the fans want to so badly believe he is, it is an undeniable truth that there needs to be more representation — and not ‘in the closet’ representation used for gags — to normalize them in media that guides and inspires them the same ways heterosexual characters have for heterosexual viewers. Considering that those who self-identify as LGBTQ only make up 4.5% of the population in the U.S as of 2017, it confirms how identifying or showcasing LGBTQ+ ‘tendencies’ is still not in the bounds of ‘normalcy’ in America as evident in the questioning of Mendes’ and Spongebob’s sexual orientation. This was definitely the case for Canadian singer, Shawn Mendes, who reiterated his sexual orientation and defended his “feminine” side in 2018 after he was accused of being gay in a Rolling Stone interview according to Pride: “I thought, ‘You fucking guys are so lucky I’m not actually gay and terrified of coming out...Maybe I am a little more feminine — but that’s the way it is. Entertainment stated that the film would be titled The SpongeBob Movie. [24] During the same month, Yahoo! The thirteenth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, began airing on Nickelodeon in the United States on October 22, 2020. Because of her lack of love interest unlike most Disney princesses, fans interpreted it as her being gay and demanded that Disney give her a girlfriend so that another beloved figure can be a part of their community. [40], In the film's debut Canadian weekend, it grossed $865,824 from 300 theaters. [13], On November 12, 2019, it was revealed that the film's title was changed from It's a Wonderful Sponge to Sponge on the Run, along with the casting of Keanu Reeves.[12]. [1] The next day, Snoop Dogg announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [28] The principal cast – Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, Carolyn Lawrence, Jill Talley, Mary Jo Catlett, and Lori Alan – are all expected to reprise the roles as their respective characters from the series and the previous films. The new Hollywood promises are Latinx and will change industry. 06/23/2020 - 15:16. in . Mr. Krabs allow pets in the Krusty Krab, although a health violation forces him to choose between restricting the restaurant to people or pets. SpongeBob and Patrick embark on a rescue mission to save SpongeBob's pet snail Gary, who has been "snailnapped" by King Poseidon, traveling to the Lost City of Atlantic City. These portrayals or lack thereof can be tiring and discouraging to the community which leads them to seek LGBTQ+ figures in many fictional characters across the industry. The movie also reveals the origin of SpongeBob and Gary's meeting for the first time as children. In June 2020, it was announced ... Sponge on the Run, that introduces a 10-year-old SpongeBob at a summer sleepaway camp. In contrast, Spongebob’s boss, Mr. Krabs’ sexual orientation is not questioned nor hyper-scrutinized because he displays the typical ‘masculine’ and ‘straight’ mannerisms and interests — one of them being Spongebob’s Driving School Teacher, Mrs. Puff- which is all the proof needed for viewers to overlook his behavior. [45], On Rotten Tomatoes, 70% of 10 critic reviews are positive for the film, and the average rating is 5.40/10. [41] IndieWire estimated that had the film had a traditional North American theatrical release it would have opened to $25-30 million, including a $3 million total from Canada. On February 19, 2020, the official title was revealed, and it was announced that the series would be premiering in July 2020. [33] It was moved four more times: to July 17, 2020,[28] May 22, 2020,[34] The lack of LGTBQ+ representation in the media makes the community yearn for fictional characters to come out. “They were not open, but rather coded in such a way that was a wink to gay audiences,” the article elaborated. [43] In its third weekend the film made $400,000 from 314 theaters,[44] then $345,000 in its fourth weekend, for a month-long running total of $3.6 million. The lack of LGTBQ+ representation in the media makes the community yearn for fictional characters to come out. Puff. On January 22, 2019, it was confirmed that production on the film had officially begun. However, Plankton is focused on getting the Krabby Patty secret formula, which Mr. Krabs has unknowingly dropped in front of the Krusty Krab. [9][10], In a February 2015 interview discussing The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water's success at the box office, Megan Colligan, president of worldwide distribution and marketing at Paramount Pictures, stated the possibility of a third film was "a good bet. [38][5] On July 30, 2020, Paramount Pictures Canada announced that the film would be released in Canadian theaters on August 14, 2020. Therefore, it provokes questions of whether this ‘gay’ behavior alludes to Spongebob being ‘gay’ or is simply comedy and why it matters. In spite of this, many continued to reject his answer and began to reopen the character’s case for being gay because of the disconnect between the creator’s intention and viewers’ interpretations. “From the very beginning, movies could rely on homosexuality as a surefire source of humor,” the article continued with an excerpt from the movie The Celluloid Closet. The series' regular voice cast reprised their roles for the film. The main series voice cast will be reprising their roles. [42] In its second weekend, despite being added to an additional 26 theaters, the film dropped 36% to $550,000, finishing second behind Unhinged. #Cinemacon", "Paramount Animation Sets Three New Films, Including 'SpongeBob' Sequel", "Paramount Grows Its Animation Slate With 'Monster on the Hill,' 'Luck, "Paramount's 'The SpongeBob Movie' To Soak Up Mid-July 2020", "Paramount Animation Announces SpongeBob Sequel 'It's a Wonderful Sponge', Two More Animated Movies", "Third "SpongeBob" Film Begins Production", "Paramount Moves Johnny Knoxville Comedy 'Action Point' To Summer, 'SpongeBob' Heads To 2020 & More", "The happiest place on earth is a pineapple under the sea! [22] By January 2016, Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger had been hired to write the film. Paramount Pictures Canada is excited to announce that THE #SPONGEBOBMOVIE: SPONGE ON THE RUN will open exclusively in Canadian theatres on August 14th", "New SpongeBob movie that skipped cinemas is coming to Netflix very soon", "Weekend Domestic Chart for August 28, 2020", "Movie reviews: 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on The Run' is enjoyable for fans old and young", "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run is straightforward and not as thrilling an adventure as my kids hoped for", "SpongeBob SquarePants Spinoffs in the Works From Nickelodeon", "ViacomCBS Debuts Expanded and Enhanced CBS All Access", SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom, Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, SpongeBob SquarePants: Original Theme Highlights.