Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is kickflipping into kids TV through a new partnership with Montreal-based Laughing Dragon Studios for a 26 x 11-minute, 2D-animated series called Skatebirds (pictured).

Currently in development, this concept for six to 11s explores the lives of four feathered friends (a chicken, an ostrich, a penguin and an emu) who share a passion for shredding. They band together against The Wolf Pack, a gang of cunning canines who want to dominate the local skatepark.

Laughing Dragon and LA-based Tony Hawk Inc. are co-producing the show and currently looking for buyers. Plans are also underway to make a package of short-form content for launch on TikTok and YouTube. 

Inspired by Hawk’s nickname Birdman, Skatebirds should generate interest from the pro skater’s multi-generational fanbase and also introduce the sport to Gen Alpha. The series will feature a narrative style similar to classic ’90s toons such as Hey Arnold! and Rocket Power, an episode of which featured an animated Tony Hawk character that he voiced himself.

Hawk has an expansive resumé of TV work, including other guest appearances on kids shows like Yo Gabba Gabba! (Nick Jr.), Cyberchase (PBS KIDS) and Take Two With Phineas and Ferb (Disney Channel). 

Laughing Dragon has primarily done animation service work on projects like Disney’s Disenchanted and upcoming Build-A-Bear series Kabu. Skatebirds is one of its original concepts, and CEO Ryan Sohmer tells Kidscreen that the project is designed to “capture the adventurous joy of skateboarding” while also folding in SEL lessons and encouraging kids to embrace a more active outdoor lifestyle. 

Images courtesy of Laughing Dragon Studios