Comic-Con 2017: The Hey Arnold! panel and nostalgic joy
In a statement, Nickelodeon made it clear that the beloved Nicktoons show will be having a panel on Friday, July 21 entitled “Hey Arnold!: From Hillwood to the Jungle!” — what we find interesting about that title is that the name Hillwood wasn’t actually expressed all that much on the show. The city was almost intentionally ambiguous — it felt at times like a hybrid of New York and Seattle. It’s more of a show about the people, and that’s what pleases us about the way that the network is hyping the panel beyond the name.
Take a look at some of the details below to get more on the multi-generation aspect of the panel, and also a tease about some of the first footage from the upcoming The Jungle Movie, which has been in development for a little while now:
“Rejoice in the return of Arnold, Gerald, Helga and all of the Hillwood neighbors, with the series’ classic voice actors Lane Toran (Arnold), Jamil Walker Smith (Gerald), Francesca Marie Smith (Helga), and Anndi McAfee (Phoebe) and the new generation of talent featured in the upcoming TV movie–Mason Vale Cotton (Arnold) and Benjamin “Lil’ P-Nut” Flores, Jr. (Gerald). This panel will also feature a live musical performance by composer Jim Lang and an introduction to never-before-seen footage of the TV movie by show creator Craig Bartlett. The panel will be moderated by Marc Snetiker.”
One of the realities that is here with Hey Arnold! is that in order to make the voices authentic, the producers need to use child actors to make it happen. This meant that there were several Arnolds over the course of the series, and many other actors also alternated performers from start to finish.
What’s to love about this show?
So much, from its humor to its imagination to its heart, makes Hey Arnold! stand out. We do also think that this is a show with a real timeless quality to it. It wasn’t indicative to a specific period of time, and its stories apply to both children and adults. There’s something for almost everyone.
The story of The Jungle Movie is going to revolve around Arnold searching for his parents, which was first set up at the end of the episode The Journal so many years ago. Whether it be this to the Helga – Arnold “rivalry,” maybe this episode will tie together some of the loose ends that were there many years ago.
What do you want to see at the Hey Arnold! panel, and are you planning to attend it? Be sure to share in the comments below!
One other story worth checking out
Be sure to head over here in the event you want to see our list of some of the definitive episodes that any longtime fan should want to see.