Biker Mice return to GMTV

Pre-production is underway in LA on the rivival of 1990s kids toon Biker Mice From Mars, after a deal between London-based brand owner Criterion Licensing and US-based Brentwood Television Funnies.

Brentwood, the company set up by former Marvel president Rick Ungar, is producing 26 new episodes of the show, to launch in the fall of 2006 in the UK on GMTV. Three seasons of the show ran from 1993-1996.

The belated fourth season of the toon will be coproduced with Manila-based Philippines Animation Studio (PASI). The lack of boys action adventure series was one reason given for the revival of the show.

Broadcast licenses have already been agreed in “most European territories,” according to the producers, and a key North American broadcast deal is currently under negotiation with home entertainment support. UPN previously aired the show.

The Sharpe Company of New York has been named licensing agent in North America for home entertainment, merchandise, publishing and promotions, while a worldwide toy deal has also been struck with European partner Giochi Preziosi.

With a toy line currently under development at Californian toy development company Pangea Corp, Giochi Preziosi is expected to announce a US toy distributor soon.