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Airdate: Exchange Student Zero

Rove McManus voices five leading characters in Cartoon Network’s first ever Australian-made TV movie.

Rove McManus, Mark Hamill, Marg Downey and Peter Rowsthorn are all voice talent in Cartoon Network’s first ever Australian-made TV movie, Exchange Student Zero.

The 70-minute special follows the adventures of two school friends, John and Max, obsessed with a fantasy card game called Battle Day Zero who inadvertently bring one of the characters, Hiro, to life. In the synopsis, “Hiro is passed off for an exchange student at school and so his peculiarities are somewhat overlooked while John and Max figure out how to get him home. That is until the game that brought Hiro pours even more exotic creatures into the sleepy little Perth town. Life will never be the same, but then as John and Max discover, it is far more exciting this way.”

This is produced by former Spicks and Specks producer Bruce Kane.

McManus voices five leading characters in the animated special including best friends John and Max, as well as anime star Hiro – The Prince of Karuta.

“Being part of an animation project like this is pure joy for me. Not only because I am such a fan of the art form but also there is no greater pleasure than jumping up and down like an idiot and making silly voices for a day. It’s funny how the stuff that used to get me in trouble at school can now get me a job on a really cool show,” McManus said.

Bruce Kane added, “It led to us wondering what it would be like, and whether it would make more sense, if these characters came to life and explained what is going on. I think it does, though I wouldn’t wish the consequences on anyone other than the people of Perth…which is where the film is set.”

Robi Stanton, Vice President and General Manager, Australia and New Zealand, Turner International said, “It is an exciting step for Cartoon Network to be premiering our first locally produced animated TV special. It is great to be involved with the amazingly talented Australian animation industry and we love that a local creative submission was a winning finalist in the first ever SNAPTOONS initiative.”

An online game version will be available to play for free at www.cartoonnetwork.com.au from 15th November.

Exchange Student Zero premieres on Cartoon Network on 16th December  at 6.00pm.

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