David Farnor | On 01, Aug 2017

Stretch Armstrong is officially coming to Netflix this year.

Hasbro is flexing more muscle in programming for kids, teaming up with the streaming giant to produce Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, a new original series.

Originally introduced in 1976, Stretch Armstrong was the ultimate toy –well-muscled doll that could stretch from its original size of fifteen inches to four or five feet. This teenage superhero animation will reimagine the classic Hasbro brand Stretch Armstrong into a “relatable kids adventure that features diverse characters with wacky powers and a playfully humorous storylin”, said Netflix in a statement.

The show follows high school student Jake Armstrong and his two best friends Nathan Park and Ricardo Perez who are accidentally exposed to an experimental chemical that forever changes their seemingly normal lives, transforming them into unlikely heroes who embark on a series of adventures.

The voice cast includes Scott Menville (Teen Titans Go!, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) as Jake Armstrong / Stretch, Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead, Okja) as Nathan Park / Wingspan, Wil Wheaton (Teen Titans Go!, Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Rook, Felicia Day (The Guild, Supernatural) as Erika, Keith David (Adventure Time, Rick and Morty) as Kane, Kate Mulgrew (Orange is the New Black, Star Trek: Voyager) as Dr. C and Walter Koenig (Star Trek, Babylon 5) as Mr. Savic.

“Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters is the first Hasbro brand to receive a Netflix original series order. We have been waiting for just the right moment to re-imagine Stretch for a new audience and our friends at Netflix got it right away; they have been a tremendous partner,” said Stephen Davis, Chief Content Officer and Executive Vice President, Hasbro Inc. “We have hit a superhero sweet spot, and with Netflix’s global reach, kids across the world will fall in love with its fun characters and action-packed storyline.”

The series will span 26 episodes, which will premiere later this year.
 

Stretch Armstrong comes to Netflix as kids’ content expands

29th January 2016

Stretch Armstrong is officially coming to Netflix.

Yes, everyone’s favourite Speedo-wearing man with extendable limbs is getting his own animated show on the streaming site. The programme marks Netflix’s first show with Hasbro, but also gives an indication of just how heavily the VOD giant is betting on kids’ content. Indeed, out of its 75 million members around the world, around half regularly watch kids’ content.

“We know kids love Netflix and that’s in part because they never really outgrow us. We program and recommend new TV shows and movies from preschool through their teen years and into adulthood,” comments Andy Yeatman, Director of Global Kids Content for Netflix.

Indeed, while 2016 is far from starved of Netflix originals for younger viewers, the company continues to stretch its line-up with a string of new commissions, each one geared towards different age groups.

Suspenseful drama The Greenhouse expands the live action category for tweens that currently includes Degrassi: Next Class, Lost & Found Music Studios and Project Mc², while a musical update to the Lalaloopsy series joins a growing portfolio of shows created to engage and pique the curiosity of young kids.

All episodes from each new series will launch on Netflix at the same time around the world.

Here are the full details on each new show:

The Greenhouse (2017)

The Greenhouse is a live action series set in an elite boarding school in Southern California called “The Greenhouse.” Students are divided into two rival houses that must join forces to conquer challenges when an evil plot is uncovered. Paula Yoo (West Wing, Defiance, Eureka) is adapting with showrunner Giora Chamizer, who wrote and created the original series. Nutz Productions, a subsidiary company of Ananey Communications, will produce the series for Netflix.

Stretch Armstrong (2017)

From Hasbro Studios comes an animated action/comedy series about overscheduled teenager Jake Armstrong and his two best friends. When the trio are accidentally exposed to an experimental chemical, they become Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, a team of unlikely superheroes who expand beyond the confines of their lives and embark on a series of adventures. The show was span 26 episodes.

Lalaloopsy (Fall 2016)

This new Netflix animated series featuring all new original music brings to life the popular Lalaloopsy girls. Viewers will follow the incredible misadventures of six friends and their pets through a whimsical world. By celebrating the magic of creativity, these friends can weather anything together. Lalaloopsy encourages viewers to express themselves in a magical, musical and silly way. The all-new 13 episode series will premiere this fall.

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