Are you ready, kids? Nickelodeon sure is; that is, ready to expand their most recognizable property with a brand-new spin-off movie.
Since its 1999 debut,SpongeBob SquarePantshas become Nickelodeon’s flagship series and unofficial mascot. The eternally optimistic sea sponge is one of the mosticonic cartoon charactersof all time, airing nearly 300 episodes in its record-breaking nearly 25-year run on Nickelodeon. Given howintegral to pop cultureSpongeBobis, it makes sense that Nickelodeon is using him to build their own SpongeBob Cinematic Universe, or SCU, if you will.
What may be surprising is how long the universe took to develop. The first two spin-off series,Kamp KoralandThe Patrick Star Show,didn’t premiere until 2021, more than two decades after the original series launch.Saving Bikini Bottomis also the first anthology film separate from the main film series. However, with multiple other spin-off series and movies reported to be in the works, it’s clear that The Krusty Krab’s fry cookis not going away any time soon.
So what do we know aboutSaving Bikini Bottom? What can we expect from the story? Will the voice cast return, and when and where will the movie premiere? Let’s take a look right now.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Plot
Saving Bikini Bottomwill be the fourth film based on the show.The SpongeBob SquarePants Moviepremiered in 2004 and was initially set to end the series. Obviously, things changed.Sponge Out of Waterwas released in 2015, followed bySponge on the Runin 2020.
Perhaps the most significant difference withSaving Bikini Bottomis its choice of the lead character. The film reportedly will center on everyone’s favorite Texas-dwelling squirrel Sandy Cheeks, with SpongeBob and the rest of the main characters appearing in supporting roles. Anofficial plot summaryfor the show reads:
“Bikini Bottom has been stolen! Sandy Cheeks and SpongeBob watch in disbelief as everyone’s favorite town is scooped out of the ocean by a sinister, mysterious company. Now, Sandy and SpongeBob must go on an epic quest to Sandy’s home state of Texas and enlist her family to help save Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs and the rest of the gang before time runs out. Continuing the franchise’s iconic blend of animation and live-action,Saving Bikini Bottombrings all the charm and irreverence of the series to the wild west in this SpongeBob Squarepants spin-off from director Lisa Johnson.”
Related:Spongebob Squarepants and the Truly Strange World of Bikini Bottom
One element that makes the movies stand out is blending the show’s animation with a live-action surface world, so it’s good to see that the spin-off will retain that. Also, we’ve never seen much of Sandy’s life before coming to Bikini Bottom. There have been hints and easter eggs here and there, but nothing extensive. This movie has the chance to finally show us Sandy’s life and family before her trek to the bottom of the ocean.
While we’ve looked at the differences betweenSaving Bikini Bottomand the main films, it also looks pretty on-brand for aSpongeBobmovie. All three films have featured our square yellow protagonist embarking on a hero’s journey with a partner that takes him away from home. The first and third movies pair him with his best friend, Patrick Star, while the second opts for a team-up with arch-enemy Plankton. It’s good to see Sandy finally get her time to shine.
Additional plot information will likely be revealed as we approach closer to the release date.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Cast
Longtime fans of the sponge will likely be glad to know that theentire main voice castfrom the show is returning to reprise their iconic roles. Carolyn Lawrence will appear as the karate-loving squirrel Sandy Cheeks. Other series voice actors on hand include Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants, Bill Fagerbakke as dimwitted best friend Patrick Star, Rodger Bumpass as cranky neighbor Squidward Tentacles, Clancy Brown as tightwad boss Mr. Krabs, Doug Lawrence as perpetual secret formula thief Plankton, Mary Jo Catlett as neurotic boating school teacher Mrs. Puff, and Jill Talley as Plankton’s sarcastic computer wife, Karen.
Related:Explained: Here’s How Bob the Sponge Became SpongeBob SquarePants
TheSpongeBobfranchise has never had trouble attractingbig-name guest stars, and this movie is no exception. Actors Craig Robinson, Grey Griffin, Johnny Knoxville, Loretta Devine, and Wanda Sykes are confirmed to join the Bikini Bottom family. However, as of this writing, there is no additional information on their roles or connection to the main storyline.
More casting information will likely follow as production continues.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Release Date
Currently, there is no release set forSaving Bikini Bottomother than an unspecified 2023 date. However, we know the film will bypass a theatrical release and head straight to Netflix. This choice of streamer may seem unusual, as Paramount+ is the streaming home for nearly all of Nickelodeon’s properties. However, Nickelodeon-produced movies premiering exclusively on Netflix is not unheard of, withThe Loud House Movie, Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus,andRocko’s Modern Life: Static Clingbeing three recent examples.
