Powerpuff Girls: What We Know About The CW's Live-Action Pilot So Far
More than two decades after the world fell in love with Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup, The CW is taking us back to the City of Townsville with a live-action version of The Powerpuff Girls.
As fans eagerly await a potential series order, TVLine is here to break down everything we know about the in-production pilot — now simply called Powerpuff — from its perfect casting to its behind-the-scenes talent. As new information comes to light, we'll keep you in the loop.
Scroll down for all of the who's, what's, when's, where's and why's that we know about Powerpuff so far, then drop a comment with your hopes for the potential series.
WHEN IS IT SET?
Unlike previous animated incarnations, The CW's Powerpuff will not focus on the superheroes' lives as children, instead speeding up the clock a bit. Here's what to expect, according to the official logline:
"The Powerpuff Girls used to be America's pint-sized superheroes, now they're disillusioned twentysomethings who resent having lost their childhood to crime fighting. Will they agree to reunite now that the world needs them more than ever?"
WHO'S BEHIND IT?
And we can't think of anyone better suited to give those "disillusioned twentysomethings" their voice than Academy Award winner Diablo Cody (Juno), who penned the pilot with Heather Regnier.
Maggie Kiley (Riverdale, Katy Keene) is directing the pilot.
Like most CW shows these days, Powerpuff also hails from Berlanti Productions, with Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Dave Madden on board as executive producers. Cody, Regnier and Kiley are also EPs.
WHO'S PLAYING BLOSSOM?
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. star Chloe Bennet is stepping into the role of commander/leader Blossom Utonium, and she's got the freshly dyed hair to prove it.
"Though she was a spunky, conscientious, Little-Miss-Perfect child who holds several advanced degrees, Blossom's repressed kiddie-superhero trauma has left her feeling anxious and reclusive, and she aims to become a leader again — this time on her own terms," according to Blossom's official breakdown.
WHO'S PLAYING BUBBLES?
Dove Cameron (Descendants, Hairspray Live!) will provide the joy and the laughter as Bubbles Utonium. When news of her casting broke, Cameron shared this screenshot — presumably from a taped audition — of herself rocking Bubbles' signature pigtails.
"Bubbles' sweet-girl disposition won America's hearts as a child. She still sparkles as an adult, but her charming exterior belies an unexpected toughness and wit," according to Bubbles' official breakdown. "She's initially more interested in recapturing her fame than saving the world, but she just might surprise us and herself."
WHO'S PLAYING BUTTERCUP?
Broadway actress Yana Perrault completes the trio as toughest-fighter Buttercup Utonium.
"Buttercup was the rebellious badass of The Powerpuff Girls in its heyday," reads Buttercup's official breakdown. "More sensitive than her tough exterior suggests, Buttercup has spent her adulthood trying to shed her Powerpuff Girl identity and live an anonymous life."
WHO'S PLAYING PROFESSOR UTONIUM?
In another bit of inspired casting, Donald Faison (Scrubs) has been tapped to play Professor Utonium. Actually, make that Professor Drake Utonium.
"Quirky, debonair, and a pinch narcissistic, Professor Drake is a scientific genius who is immensely proud of the three extraordinary girls he created in his lab," reads the official character breakdown. "Staring down a midlife crisis, he is determined to repair his relationships with his now-adult daughters."
WHO'S PLAYING MOJO JOJO?
Unclear! However, Nicholas Podany (Hart of Dixie) has been cast in the Powerpuff pilot as a villain named Joseph "Jojo" Mondel Jr.
Here's his official character breakdown: "As a kid, the nerdy, power-hungry, insecure Jojo was obsessed with the Powerpuff Girls, despite his father's grudge against them. As an adult, Jojo finds his sweetness and rage in constant battle."
At this time, it's unclear whether the "father" in question is actually Mojo, or whether this new "Jojo" merely follows in Mojo's footsteps.
WHO'S PLAYING MISS BELLUM?
Powerpuff is finally putting a face to Miss Bellum's name, casting Robyn Lively in the role of the Mayor's right-hand woman.
The character's official character breakdown describes her as a "warm and witty career woman who has a complicated romantic history with [Professor Drake Utonium]. Always a friend to the Powerpuff Girls, she has remained close to them since childhood."
WILL THERE BE MUSIC?
In addition to being crime fighters, the Powerpuff Girls were also occasionally bandmates. And while nothing is confirmed, the casting certainly lends itself to a few encore performances.
Bennet has released music both in the US and China, Dove Cameron is currently signed with Columbia Records' Disruptor label, and Perrault was in the original cast of Alanis Morissette's Broadway's musical Jagged Little Pill.