James R | On 01, Apr 2014

Netflix is bringing back classic kids TV show SuperTed for a live action series, VODzilla.co can exclusively reveal.

The Internet TV company exclusively revealed its plans to VODzilla.co today – April 1st 2014 – revealing that they had signed a deal with Walt Disney to the rights for Mike Young’s cartoon, which will fly on to the service at some point in 2015.

The TV show, which was originally broadcast in 1983, followed the story of a young teddy bear who was thrown away like a piece of rubbish when his makers found “something wrong with him”. Then, out of space, a Spotty Man came and brought him to life with his cosmic dust. He took the bear to see Mother Nature, who gave him special powers, turning him into SuperTed. Just by saying his Secret Magic Word, the teddy bear could then take off his skin, Clark Kent-style, to reveal his costume underneath.

Martin Freeman will take on the role of Spotty Man, originally voiced by Doctor Who star Jon Pertwee. Together, Spotty Man and the caped caniform with rockets in his feet will continue SuperTed’s battle to protect endangered species and bank vaults against the evil cowboy, Texas Pete.

Netflix’s decision to bring back the much-loved show follows similar renewals of Arrested Development and The Killing – and an extensive deal with Disney that will bring Marvel superheroes, such as Daredevil, to the small screen. Now, though, Netflix’s line-up of heroes will also include the world’s only super-powered teddy bear.

Netflix says that the new version of SuperTed will have a grittier tone – and a serious message for modern audiences.

“SuperTed was always concerned with helping the environment, a message that is increasingly important for society today. We’re bringing that message bang up to date with a darker tone, more in keeping with Christopher Nolan’s Batman films, and a live action production that will make the whole premise even more realistic,” says a spokesperson for the company.

“Who wants an animated teddy bear that can fly when you can have a real teddy bear that can really fly? With jet packs and everything?”

Audiences in the past have raised concerns that SuperTed’s special powers rely upon a cute teddy bear peeling off his own skin, which some parents labelled as “creepy”, but Netflix reassures VODzilla.co that it will remain faithful to the show’s mythology.

“The skin-peeling sequence is an essential part of what makes SuperTed Superted,” adds the streaming service’s spokesperson. “Where else is he going to keep his costume? If anything, the original show glossed over that part. We have a team of experts working on seamless CGI integration that will really bring home the horrifying pain and inspiring courage it takes for this bear to rip off his skin every time he has to save the world.”

An unnamed representative for Disney added: “SuperTed will stand proudly against our upcoming superhero projects we are producing with Netflix and Marvel. In 2015, you will believe a bear can fly. With rocket-powered feet. And no skin.”

Here are the opening credits for the original show:

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