Why the Rugrats movie reboot is so controversial

The classic Nickelodeon cartoon is set to return

Roxy Simons
·Entertainment Editor
Updated ·3-min read
RUGRATS, Angelica with mom, Phil and Lil with mom, Tommy Pickles with mom, Chuckie, Spike the Dog, 1991-present, episode
The Rugrats is being given the reboot treatment with a movie that will reportedly be a live-action CGI hybrid. (Nickelodeon)

The Rugrats were a formative part of many people's childhoods and, it seems, Nickelodeon is determined to do so again with a reboot — except this one has a twist that has made it rather controversial.

First airing from 1991 to 2004, the original charted the story of a group of toddlers —mainly Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil— told from their point-of-view and their adventures together as their parents remain clueless. While the series was brought back for a new series on Paramount+ in 2021 that then moved to Nicktoons, it has since been announced that a live-action movie is in the works.

The words "Rugrats" and "live-action" in the same sentence have already drawn some controversy, and there is a particular reason why.

Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica, Phil, Lil,Charlotte,Chas,Dil,Drew Film: Rugrats In Paris: The Movie (2000) Characters: ,,Angelica,,,,,, Director: Stig Bergqvist 05 November 2000 **WARNING** This Photograph is for editorial use only and is the copyright of NICKELODEON MOVIES and/or the Photographer assigned by the Film or Production Company and can only be reproduced by publications in conjunction with the promotion of the above Film. A Mandatory Credit To NICKELODEON MOVIES is required. The Photographer should also be credited when known. No commercial use can be granted without written authority
First airing from 1991 to 2004, the original charted the story of a group of toddlers —mainly Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil— told from their point-of-view. (Nickelodeon)

The Rugrats movie reboot is being described as a live-action CGI hybrid in which the toddlers will be animated while the other characters, and the world around them, will be a real set according toreports from Deadline.

Tommy, Chuckie, Phil and Lil are set to appear, as will their bully Angelica Pickles and all of their parents. The decision was made in the hope of matching the success of Paramount's big hit franchise Sonic the Hedgehog, which does the same thing.

Jason Moore will be directing the film while it is being written by Mikey Day and Streeter Seidell, with Rugrats co-creators Arlene Klasky and Gábor Csupó on board with the project as producers.

The film has already drawn the ire of audiences online, with many saying the idea of a live-action and CGI hybrid sounds nightmarish rather than fun. When the news was announced several people shared their fears about the production via social media, namely on X.

LES RAZMOKET RUGRATS 2021 serie TV creee par Gabor Csupo saison 1 Prod DB © Nickelodeon Animation Studios - Klasky-Csupo dessin anime; animation; cart
The decision was made in the hope of matching the success of Paramount's big hit franchise Sonic the Hedgehog, but fans aren't convinced. (Nickelodeon Animation Studios)

One person wrote in response: "Having not seen a frame of this RUGRATS movie I can say with confidence, kill it with fire."

Another passionately said: "NO! NO! PLEASE NICKELODEON! PLEASE VIACOM! DON’T DO THIS! Aside from SpongeBob, Rugrats was one of my personal favorite Nicktoons in my childhood days. And reading the words: “live action” sounds terrifying. I DON’T WANT TO SEE CGI BABIES, JUST LIKE IN SON OF THE MASK!"

While one fan of the original series wrote: "RUGRATS IS COMING BACK! Live action…. With…. CGI babies…. You know what? Just FORGET IT."

It seems the concept of a live-action and CGI hybrid doesn't inspire hope amongst fans, with several sharing memes and poorly done visual effects as their predictions for how the Rugrats babies will look in the movie. Only time will tell how the idea will be brought to life, and perhaps, like the Sonic movies, it will go down well with viewers once they've seen it executed.

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