Live-action 'Fairly OddParents' on its way

BURBANK, Calif., July 23 (UPI) -- Nickelodeon says it has green-lit a live-action television movie adaptation of its animated U.S. series, "The Fairly OddParents."

Marjorie Cohn, president of original programming and development at Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, said Friday "A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!" is to premiere next year.

Based on the hit series from creator Butch Hartman, the TV movie will combine live-action with computer-generated animation and follow the adventures of a now 23-year-old Timmy Turner who refuses to grow up so he can keep his attentive, magical fairy godparents.

Drake Bell of the live-action series "Drake & Josh" is to play Timmy. The cast also includes Jason Alexander as the live-action Cosmo, Daran Norris as the animated Cosmo, Cheryl Hines as live-action Wanda and Susanne Blakeslee as animated Wanda.

"It's so much fun to see our animated characters come to life," Cohn said in a statement. "And who better to bring grown-up Timmy Turner to life than Drake Bell, who himself grew up on our air and still remains one of our most popular Nick stars ever."