Coinciding with Autism Acceptance Month, the new animated movie features the iconic franchise’s newest friend, Bruno the Brake Car, an autistic character who embarks on a journey with Thomas and his gang; hitting the streamer April 1, it also broadcasts in Canada April 2 and the U.S. April 3.
Coinciding with Autism Acceptance Month in April, Mattel has announced an all-new animated adventure, Thomas & Friends: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain, that features Bruno the Brake Car, the iconic franchise’s newest friend, an autistic character introduced to fans last September as part of the popular Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go series.
The all-new Thomas special hits Netflix globally on April 1 and will also broadcast on Canada’s Treehouse TV Sunday, April 2 (6:30 pm ET) and Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito in the U.S. Monday, April 3 (7:30 am ET).
In The Mystery of Lookout Mountain, Thomas and his friends embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind a years-long mystery of missing cargo cars deep within the mysterious Lookout Mountain. Thomas, Bruno, and the rest of the gang journey under waterfalls into unknown tunnels and through the Crystal Caverns in a quest to find the truth, ultimately coming face-to-face with a mythical Mine Monster.
The special is co-produced by Mattel Television and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana and executive produced by Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan for Mattel Television and by Colin Bohm, Doug Murphy, and Pam Westman for Nelvana.
"We are excited to bring the fun and excitement of Thomas & Friends: The Mystery of Lookout Mountain to fans, as the special marks Bruno’s first appearance in a Thomas & Friends movie,” said Soulie. “By further acquainting audiences with the pun-loving red brake car, we hope the special will make a positive impact on children and parents during Autism Acceptance Month.”
"It’s been full steam ahead ever since we partnered with Mattel to produce the reimagined 2D animated Thomas & Friends series, and we’ve received spectacular feedback on the fun storylines and physical comedy," added Westman. "Bruno the Brake Car is such an important character, and we're proud of the warm reception he has received. This special allows us to emphasize the significance of this loving character, not only within this franchise but throughout children’s programming globally."
Source: Mattel, Inc.
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
