Cartoon Network presented its shows for the coming year to advertisers this week, and the network is moving more aggressively into production of its own series and features, seeking to cement its boys audience in the face of new competition from Disney XD.  The increased production of house material probably means a shrinking window for third party series, including anime.  And it also relies heavily on live action and reality series, an interesting twist given the name of the network.

Among the new animated series highlights are Ben 10:  Evolutions, a new series with Glen Murakami (Teen Titans) as supervising producer and Dwayne McDuffie as story editor; Sym-Bionic Titan, by Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory, Samurai Jack); Generator Rex, from Man of Action, creators of Ben 10; and Scooby-Doo—Mystery, Inc. 

Original movie highlights include Ben 10:  Alien Swarm; Scooby Doo!  The Mystery Begins (a live action rendition that tells the story of how the gang first comes together;  and Firebreather, based on the graphic novel (see “Firebreather on the Cartoon Network?”) and directed by Peter Chung (Aeon Flux). 

Paul Dini is executive producing and writing Prepped, a live action pilot about teens trapped at a mysterious prep school. 

Returning animated series announced the event are Star Wars:  The Clone Wars, Chowder, the Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, The Secret Saturdays, and Batman:  The Brave and the Bold.