Netflix already has an impressive lineup of original animated series thanks to shows like Voltron: Legendary Defender and Trollhunters, but they're not stopping there. This fall Netflix will add to that lineup and introduce a new take on iconic action figure Stretch Armstrong. Dubbed Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, this new series will re-imagine Stretch as a teenager and a member of a team of super-powered heroes.
We recently had the chance to chat with executive producer Vic Cook about this new series and how Flex Fighters will update an old favorite. During our talk, Cook also reflected on his time working for critically acclaimed animated show like Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated and The Spectacular Spider-Man. Scroll down to find out what he had to say.
IGN: Let’s start with the basics. How did you come to be involved with this Stretch Armstrong revival?
Vic Cook: The co-producer and co-writer of the My Little Pony Movie, Michael Vogel, was a studio creative executive at the time when Hasbro decided to develop Stretch into an animated series. He called me about coming over as executive producer and supervising director for the project. We had previously worked together on The Spectacular Spider-Man and after discussing [it] with him, I became very enthusiastic about the creative possibilities to re-imagine Stretch! I was hooked! Soon, almost [at] the same time, writers Kevin Burke and Chris “Doc” Wyatt were brought in and we got to work. It was an opportunity to create a new superhero universe.
IGN: Is this a property you have an attachment to from your childhood?
VC: I have nostalgic memories of Stretch Armstrong. Pulling him apart and seeing the ooze spill out!
IGN: The franchise bounced around several movie studios in the '90s and '00s but never quite found the traction it needed. Why do you think things finally changed with the shift from live-action film to animated television?
VC: Although everyone remembers the toy, the show is a reimagining. Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters features a brand new superhero universe with new main characters, a new setting and supporting cast. We are creating new lore, new back story to move forward with. We are exploring how these type of superpowers can be reinterpreted and used in new ways. A TV series gives the viewer more time to get to know the main characters, the supporting cast and a new rogues gallery of super villains.
IGN: A lot of the scripts for those aborted Stretch Armstrong movies took a sort of figurative approach to the Stretch Armstrong name and conceived him as someone being pulled among the many responsibilities in his life. Is that an element you plan on including in this series?
VC: Jake is very much the over-scheduled teenager of today. A lot is expected of him, and he is preparing for his future.
IGN: Can you talk about the decision to re-imagine Stretch Armstrong as a teenage hero with an entire team backing him up?
VC: Making them young gives us the opportunity to see them inexperienced not only with their powers, but in life itself. We felt it would be more fun and interesting to see Jake/Stretch experience being a superhero with his friends Nathan Park/Wingspan and Ricardo Perez/Omni-Mass. We wanted to have three distinct personalities, each reacting to situations from their different points of view to allow story opportunities for humor, drama, and fun banter.
IGN: Do you feel that makes the character more palatable for an all-ages audience?
VC: I think you can have heroes of any age be appealing to an all ages audience. For us, the choice in making Stretch a teen and with a team was for the story and character possibilities we wanted to explore.
IGN: How would you describe the Flex Fighters and their role in the world? Are they Spider-Man-esque heroes trying to do good wherever they can, or do they have a more specific purpose ahead of them as they come to terms with their powers?
VC: We have a fun and intriguing take on our three characters’ superhero journey. I wish I could answer that more specifically at this time, but that can’t be revealed yet. However, we’ll be giving fans a first glimpse of footage at HasCon [the official Hasbro convention] on Sunday, September 10. And the whole first season will be up on Netflix Fall 2017.
IGN: Netflix has been setting a pretty high-standard for action/adventure-oriented animated series lately with projects like Trollhunters and Voltron: Legendary Defender. Do you feel an added pressure to live up to that standard?
VC: Those are amazing shows. YES!
IGN: Are you drawing inspiration from those shows in any way?
VC: We were well into production when those came out. We have our own mythology and aesthetic. Along with Netflix, we at Hasbro are very excited to introduce our new superhero universe.
IGN: Are you taking more an episodic or a serialized approach to storytelling in this first season?
VC: It’s both. Each episode is self contained, and has its own beginning and end, but there is also a progression per episode of an overall story that spans the season. There will be character development of main and supporting characters as well as intriguing back stories as the overall story arc continues. Keep an eye out for Easter eggs. You may discover something planted in an early episode that pays off later. I am excited for the viewers to watch some really cool action choreography. The heroes and villains have very specific powers and the storyboard artists, directors and I had a great time showcasing their abilities.
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