Apple TV+ has released the trailer for a new Peanuts special titled Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin. The premiere is set for Friday, February 16. The special is an origin story for one of the most beloved characters in the Peanuts universe, Franklin. The story follows Franklin as he moves to a new town and tries to make new friends.
Franklin's family is always on the move due to his dad's military job. Everywhere he goes, Franklin turns to his grandfather's notebook filled with advice on friendship for support. However, when Franklin tries to use these strategies with the Peanuts gang, he has trouble fitting in.
So, he learns about the neighborhood Soap Box Derby race, which his grandfather says he can win and make new friends. All he needs is a partner, which he finds in Charlie Brown. Together, they build a car and become good buddies. However, as the race nears, the pressure mounts. Can their car and newfound friendship make it to the finish line?
The special is produced for Apple TV+ by Peanuts and WildBrain. It is directed by Emmy Award winner Raymond S. Persi (The Simpsons, Wreck-It-Ralph) and co-written by Robb Armstrong (Jump Start), Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, and Cornelius Uliano. The story is based on an original story by Armstrong and Scott Montgomery (The Snoopy Show). Executive producers are Craig Schulz, Bryan Schulz, Cornelius Uliano, Paige Braddock, Josh Scherba, Stephanie Betts, and Logan McPherson.
About Peanuts
Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts is a classic American comic strip that is widely considered one of the most influential and popular in the medium's history.
The strip first appeared on October 2nd, 1950, in seven newspapers across the United States and quickly gained popularity. Schulz was the sole creator of Peanuts and drew inspiration for the themes and characters from his personal experiences and observations of life.
Peanuts is centered around a group of young children, Charlie Brown, the main character, and his pet beagle, Snoopy. Other notable characters include Lucy van Pelt, Linus van Pelt, Peppermint Patty, Sally Brown, and many others. The strip explored social issues, psychology, faith, and the complexities of life through the innocent yet profound perspectives of its characters. Schulz often used humor and melancholy to comment on the human condition.
The strip ran for almost 50 years, with its last new strip published on February 13, 2000, the day after Schulz's death. The strip was published in over 2,600 newspapers, translated into 21 languages, and had a readership of around 355 million in 75 countries.
The franchise has expanded beyond the comic strip to include TV specials, animated movies, and a wide range of merchandise.
Schulz's work has received numerous awards and accolades, and his influence on the world of comics and animation has been profound. The characters and themes of "Peanuts" continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, making it a timeless piece of American cultural heritage.