'Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus': Release date, plot, cast, trailers and everything you need to know about Netflix's film on the cult Nickelodeon hit
'Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus', for the uninitiated, is the second coming of the beloved animated series 'Invader Zim', created by Jhonen Vasquez. The original series, which ran on Nickelodeon from 2001 to 2002, has often been listed as one of the best shows to have aired on the channel.
Six of the completed second-season episodes initially went unreleased before being made available on DVD in 2004 and then later broadcast on the Nicktoons Network in 2006. It has since gathered a cult following.
Release Date:
The television film is slated to premiere on Netflix August 16.
Plot:
In the series, the main protagonist is, you guessed it, an extraterrestrial named Zim from the planet Irk who comes to earth with his malfunctioning robot servant GIR. His mission? To conquer Earth and enslave the human race.
His nemesis is Dib, a young paranormal investigator who is determined to stop Zim from succeeding. 'Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus' is produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio in collaboration with Maven Animation Studio in South Korea. According to Vasquez, a full-fledged revival series is not out of the question if Netflix is game.
In the movie, Zim discovers his almighty leaders never had any intention of coming to Earth and he loses confidence in himself for the first time in his life, which is the big break his human nemesis, Dib, has been waiting for. The short teaser about the film on Netflix says: "When Zim reappears to begin the next phase of his evil alien plan to conquer Earth, his nemesis Dib Membrane sets out to unmask him once and for all."
Cast:
Richard Steven Horvitz, known for his voice work on the 'Power Rangers' franchise, will bring Zim to life, while Vasquez's friend, graphic novelist and voice artist, Rosearik Rikki Simons, will voice GIR. Other voice artists include Andy Berman as Dib Membrane, Melissa Fahn as Gaz Membrane and Rodger Bumpass as Professor Membrane.
Creator:
The film script is penned by Jhonen Vasquez, Breehn Burns and Gary Wilson, and directed by Vasquez and Jake Wyatt.
Trailer:
A teaser trailer, screened at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, showed some glimpses of Zim's nefarious plan that somehow involved making waffles (including the chocolate sauce) over pizza goop and knocking off the power grid of the world, one city block at a time.
Another teaser released July 24 begins with the title card, "Meanwhile in a toilet." The scene shifts to focussing on Zim emerging from a WC. As he starts laughing maniacally, banging the toilet seat, his robot sidekick GIR joins in. At which point Zim commands: "Computer, laugh with me!" The computer responds, "I don't want to!"
Where to watch:
Netflix bought the film's distribution rights from Nickelodeon in May 2019. It will be available on the streaming channel from August 16 onwards.
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