Nickelodeon Kicks Off 20 Years of SpongeBob SquarePants Celebrations in Asia!

One hour special “SpongeBob’s Big Birthday Blowout” premieres on 12 July

Get ready for the “Best Year Ever” as Nickelodeon celebrates 20 years of SpongeBob SquarePants! Nickelodeon pays a sponge-rific tribute to one of the most iconic TV series and characters ever created, with celebrations across all platforms. SpongeBob launched on 17 July 1999 and has reigned as the number-one kids’ animated series on TV for the last 17 years, generating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, toys and merchandise, movies, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical, and legions of fans across the world.

REEL DEAL: Antonio Banderas Is Pirate Villain In “SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER”

Anchoring the live action part in Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies' “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” is series newcomer and Hollywood legend Antonio Banderas (“The Mask of Zorro,” voice of “Puss in Boots”).

In the film, Banderas plays the villainous pirate, Burger Beard, who may or may not have something to do with the missing Krabby Patty recipe.

"Antonio Banderas is a very worthy inductee into the SpongeBob club," says Tom Kenny, who provides the voice SpongeBob Squarepants. "He's got that kind of old Hollywood movie star charisma. When he's on the screen, he just owns it."

REEL DEAL: SpongeBob, Friends Transform Into Superheroes In “SPONGE OUT OF WATER”

In a series of events that could only happen in a SpongeBob movie, our heroes SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Sandy and Plankton take on superhero personas in Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Movies' new comedy adventure “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water.”

The superhero transformation required some reimagining on the part of the filmmakers. The super powers were inspired by each character’s personal interests. "SpongeBob becomes the Incredibubble, because he loves blowing bubbles," explains series creator Stephen Hillenburg. "Patrick loves ice cream, so his power is to summon it. Squidward plays the clarinet, so he becomes a music based hero named Sour Note. They did a great job capturing the spirit and emotions of these characters."

REEL DEAL: “SPONGEBOB” Movie Makes Waves With New Trailer Poster

“Making Waves in Our World.” That's the tagline of the new poster art of the comedy adventure “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” which has just been released, along with a brand-new trailer that may be viewed at http://youtu.be/kwouYnELrTY.

In the film, SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet. The film is a production of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies.

Based on the series “SpongeBob Squarepants” created by Stephen Hillenburg, “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” Directed by Paul Tibbitt and the writers are Stephen Hillenburg, Paul Tibbitt, Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger.

The cast features Antonio Banderas, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence and Douglas Lawrence.

Opening across the Philippines in April 2015, “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” will be distributed by United International Pictures through Columbia Pictures.

REEL DEAL: First Trailer of “SPONGEBOB: SPONGE OUT OF WATER” Is Here!

SpongeBob Squarepants leaves his world behind in the first trailer for Paramount Pictures' and Nickelodeon Movies' comedy adventure “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water” which may be viewed at http://youtu.be/fMcSaUntino.

In the film, SpongeBob SquarePants, the world’s favorite sea dwelling invertebrate, comes ashore to our world for his most super-heroic adventure yet.