KUALA LUMPUR: Popular animated TV series from 1998, Keluang Man, is set to be made into a cinematic feature film.
The comedic cartoon series, co-created by the late Kamarudin Ismail with UAS Animation founder Natashah Md Noor, features the titular superhero inspired by a bat. It ran for seven seasons with over 140 episodes.
It follows the adventures of a patient in a mental hospital in Tampoi named Borhan a.k.a. Keluang Man, who becomes a crime-fighting superhero at night with the help of his trusted sidekick Tiong Man.
Astro Shaw recently signed a licensing rights agreement for a film adaptation with the intellectual property (IP) holder of Keluang Man, Iconic Animation Studio Sdn Bhd, to produce the title's first feature film.
The partnership is the first step for Astro Shaw and Iconic Animation Studio to introduce the legendary local superhero animation IP to a new generation.
Iconic Animation Studio director Muhamad Firdaus Omar is optimistic about the collaboration to bring the IP to the big screen.
"The Keluang Man brand has been a strong one in the animation industry for over 26 years. The character is still beloved and remembered among fans.
"We are confident that many will be anticipating the return of Keluang Man. The plan to adapt this animation into a feature film has long been around.
"Alhamdulillah, the dream is finally going to be realised with Astro Shaw," he said in a news report yesterday.
Meanwhile, Animation Society of Malaysia (Animas) president Amir Hamzah Hashim welcomed the effort to produce a Keluang Man film as a means for the brand to tap into new market opportunities.
"As an early animation practitioner who was given the responsibility as assistant animation director for the original series, this good news is refreshing and motivates us to continue efforts to create new works for local superhero fans.
"I hope the fans will support this and provide positive reactions when the Keluang Man film is screened," he said.
The new animated feature film is expected to begin pre-production soon.