After releasing three episodes online in 2020, The Freak Brothers, an animated series based on The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers underground comic books from the '60s and '70s, has been picked up by Lionsgate and WTG Enterprises. The original comic strips and characters were created by Gilbert Shelton, with help from Paul Mavrides and Dave Sheridan.
The strips, which appeared in High Times and other publications, feature Freewheelin' Franklin Freak, Fat Freddy Freetkowski, Phineas T. Phreak and Fat Freddy's Cat. The main Freeak Brothers characters are voiced respectively by Woody Harrelson, John Goodman, Peter Davidson and Tiffany Haddish.
The supporting cast includes Andrea Savage (I'm Sorry, Dog Eat Dog), La La Anthony (Power) and Adam Devine and Blake Anderson from Workaholics.
Harrelson was quoted at Deadline: “This show is really funny, it’s pure entertainment. If you’re a stoner it’s probably a little funnier, but either way it’s a great ride.”
In 2020, he posted at Instagram: "I'm really psyched to be part of the legendary comic Freak Brothers. I don't know why, but this humor is right up my alley."
Davidson joked: “When you can do a cartoon about weed, you do it. Then you wake up the next day and call your team and make sure you weren’t high and this is a real thing.”
The first eight-episode season has already been completed, with animation by Starburns Industries and Pure Imagination Studios. A broadcast partner has yet to be announced.
2020 Pilot
The gang time travels from 1969 to 2020 and discovers the new world of legalization to the tune of "Are You Ready for an Edible?"
2020 Episode
The stoner gang visit the White House and fight President Trump over a bucket of KFC. They even get him to to smoke a joint.
2020 Episode
The gang hang at Ryan's Reefer Factory, which spoofs Ryan Seacrest and Willy Wonka at the same time.
This article was originally posted May 5, 2020. It's been updatd several times.
