Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus, the animated movie special that picks up after the events of the television series, is a bit of a odd thing. Not because of its humor or tone, which is unusual in the way that all of the Invader Zim franchise is unusual, but because of the fact that it's a movie based on a Nickelodeon show that ended up on Netflix, along with Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling. But the reason Enter the Florpus ended up on Netflix rather than at the television network is apparently simple: bureaucracy.
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At least, according to Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez. ComicBook.com had a chance to speak with Vasquez ahead of the special's release on Netflix, and while his answer to why the Enter the Florpus ended up on Netflix came across as almost half joking, there was an undercurrent of seriousness.
"We had already finished production," Vasquez revealed when asked about the move to Netflix. "Netflix really had no hand in the creation of the thing. Nickelodeon was the intended destination for it, but then there was a lot of changeover that happened in the last couple of months of production at Nickelodeon, just suddenly everyone that was supportive was no longer present. And I think we just rolled to the finish line in this junky machine that I think really only crossed the finish line out of sheer neglect by the end of it."
What do you think of Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus? Have you watched the Netflix special already, or are you saving it for a special occasion? Let us know in the comments, or hit me up directly on Twitter at @rollinbishop to talk all things animation!
Although Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus being released on Netflix, it wasn't the first Nickelodeon show to be released on the streaming service, and won't be the last. Earlier this year, Netflix released Nickelodeon's animated series Pinky Malinky, and Nickelodeon is currently producing animated movies inspired by network hits Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Loud House. Netflix is also producing a live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender with Nickelodeon.
Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling are now available to stream on Netflix.
At least, according to Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez. ComicBook.com had a chance to speak with Vasquez ahead of the special's release on Netflix, and while his answer to why the Enter the Florpus ended up on Netflix came across as almost half joking, there was an undercurrent of seriousness.
"We had already finished production," Vasquez revealed when asked about the move to Netflix. "Netflix really had no hand in the creation of the thing. Nickelodeon was the intended destination for it, but then there was a lot of changeover that happened in the last couple of months of production at Nickelodeon, just suddenly everyone that was supportive was no longer present. And I think we just rolled to the finish line in this junky machine that I think really only crossed the finish line out of sheer neglect by the end of it."
What do you think of Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus? Have you watched the Netflix special already, or are you saving it for a special occasion? Let us know in the comments, or hit me up directly on Twitter at @rollinbishop to talk all things animation!
Although Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling and Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus being released on Netflix, it wasn't the first Nickelodeon show to be released on the streaming service, and won't be the last. Earlier this year, Netflix released Nickelodeon's animated series Pinky Malinky, and Nickelodeon is currently producing animated movies inspired by network hits Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Loud House. Netflix is also producing a live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender with Nickelodeon.
Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus and Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling are now available to stream on Netflix.