Disney Channel Greenlights Four Original Movies for Monthly Movie Showcase.

Entertainment Editors & Television/Cable Writers

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 18, 2001

Disney Channel, the leader for television for kids and families, has greenlit four new movies for the Disney Channel monthly original movie showcase, it was announced today by Rich Ross, general manager and executive vice president, programming and production, and Gary Marsh, executive vice president, original programming.

"Disney Channel has raised the bar in kid programming and is committed to making movies charged with adventure and enthusiasm," stated Ross. "It's our mission to develop original movies with solid story lines that kids and families can enjoy together. In addition, we are happy to deliver to our viewers some returning favorites including Kimberly J. Brown and the Lawrence brothers."

"The network takes great pride in adding two sequels to our production line-up," added Marsh. "`Horse Sense' and `Halloweentown' are two of our most well-remembered television events, and the adventure continues when both casts reunite for `Ship Shape' (working title) and `Return to Halloweentown.' We are equally delighted to begin production on `The Jennie Project' and `The Poof Point,' two terrific examples of Disney Channel's signature programming at its finest."

Disney Channel continues to be in tune with the world of original movies for kids and family with the addition of "The Jennie Project," "Ship Shape," "The Poof Point" and "Return to Halloweentown."

In "The Jennie Project," Dr. Archibald has brought home another one of his exotic pets. His son Andrew befriends Jennie, a chimpanzee who can do just about anything. Since the day she came home with Andrew's dad from Africa, the family has welcomed her in as part of the family. Jennie plays baseball, loves comic books and is a true confidant to Andrew, who doesn't always see eye to eye with his dad.

Together, Jennie and Andrew will embark upon a magical adventure that brings the whole family together. Production will begin in January and the movie will air in May 2001. "The Jennie Project" will be produced by Charles Hirschhorn and was written by Charles Leavitt and based on the book written by Douglas Preston.

"Ship Shape" re-teams cross-country cousins Michael Woods and Tommy Biggs for a brand-new adventure, this time on the high seas. Joey, Matthew and Andrew Lawrence ("Brotherly Love") star in the sequel to Disney Channel's "Horse Sense." Michael has big plans to show his country-cousin a good time aboard a luxury yacht, until he finds that he has actually a rented small fishing boat. Stalked by a band of pirates, the boys are swept off course and forced to abandon their boat. The captain (Matthew Lawrence) leads them to a desert island.

Will Michael be able to exist without the conveniences of the modern world? Or more importantly, without his cafe latte in the morning? Or will Matthew and Tommy ban him for not being able to cooperate with the "island alliance?" "Ship Shape" will be produced by Andrea Baines, written by Chad and Cary Hayes and directed by Michael Lang. The movie will go into production in February and is slated to air in July 2001.

Raising kids isn't easy -- especially when they are your own parents! Eddie and Marie's inventor parents have been working on a time machine, but instead of sending them back in time, it's making them younger. When mom and dad's experiment goes awry, they become younger versions of themselves and they'll need to enlist the help of their kids to return back to normal before they hit "The Poof Point" and disappear.

Andy Cohen and Mark Saltzman will executive produce and Neal Israel ("Look Who's Talking Too," "Police Academy") will direct the Disney Channel original movie based on Stu Krieger's script. The movie begins production this spring and is based on the book by the same name.

Disney Channel charms witches, ghouls and kids alike in "Return to Halloweentown." Kimberly J. Brown ("Tumbleweeds") reprises her role as Marnie in the bewitching sequel to the Halloween favorite. Grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds) sweeps Marnie and Sophie off to Halloweentown to investigate a series of strange occurrences. When they arrive, the vibrant community seems to have lost its magic. The citizens, including the gargoyles, are gray and boring. It isn't long before Aggie discovers that her spell book is stolen and the trio decides to set out and find it.

They discover that an angry warlock has taken the book and plans to permanently turn every human into whatever costume they are wearing at midnight on Halloween. It's a race against time, as Marnie must use her skills to defeat the young warlock threatening to change Halloweentown for eternity. "Return to Halloweentown" begins production in February and will premiere in October 2001.

The original movie is written by Jon Cooksey and Ali Matheson and will be produced by Sheri Singer ("Halloweentown," "The Luck of the Irish") of Just Singer Entertainment.

"The Jennie Project," "Ship Shape," "The Poof Point" and "Return to Halloweentown" join Disney Channel's growing lineup of original movies slated for 2001, including the previously announced "Motocrossed," premiering on Feb. 16, starring Alana Austin and Trevor O'Brien; "The Luck of the Irish," premiering in March, starring Ryan Merriman; "Hounded" (formerly known as "The Doghouse"), premiering in April, starring Tahj Mowry and Shia LaBeouf; and "Jett Jackson: The Movie," premiering this summer, starring Lee Thompson Young.

Disney Channel, combining original series, movies and specials with timeless classics, is the first general entertainment television network designed for kids and families. Disney Channel is a division of ABC Cable Networks Group, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.