As Disney seeks to transform their Toon Disney channel to Disney XD, they have line up a teenage action hero who will lead the way in the channel’s new focus: young, male viewers. “Aaron Stone” is the first original series in which title character is an avatar created by 16-year-old Charlie Landers, played by Kelly Blatz, for the online game “Hero Rising.”
A fan, left, chats with Kelly Blatz of “Aaron Stone” in New York City. The title character is an avatar created by Blatz’s character.
Disney XD content will have themes of adventure, accomplishment, gaming, music and sports. And it all begins with “Aaron Stone.” The redesigned Disney XD will be unveiled Friday.
“Our audacious goal is to become the new destination for boys on television, online, everywhere they interact with media,” says Gary Marsh, president of Entertainment for Disney Channel’s Worldwide, during an interview at the Universal Hilton Hotel. “Now, not that girls aren’t welcome at Disney XD, but what we’re trying to do is super serve that 6- to 14-year-old boy audience in a way that nobody else in this space has.”
Marsh adds that while “Aaron Stone,” just like the cable channel, will be aimed at boys, there are certainly entry points for female viewers.
For example, Tania Gunadi has been cast to play Emma, Charlie’s computer-smart neighbor who is every bit the action star as the male characters. Gunadi comes to the show after appearing in the Disney Channel movies “Pixel Perfect” and “Go Figure.”
The fact that Blatz is starring in a television series for Disney puts him in select teen-idol company. The actor doesn’t know what to expect.
“People always ask me that question, and I really don’t have an answer for it. I hope the show does well, and that kids accept it,” Blatz says. “And for me, just being a role model or someone that kids can look up to is what’s great about doing the show and what’s important for me.”
Along with “Aaron Stone,” Disney XD will feature the new animated series, “Kid vs. Kat,” “Jimmy Two Shoes,” “RoboDz” and “Bruno the Great.” New episodes of “Phineas and Ferb” and “Yin Yang Yo!” also will be in the lineup.
Original story found at fresnobee.com.
