Motorcity (TV series) explained

Motorcity is an American animated television series^{[1] [2]} created by Chris Prynoski^[3] and produced by Prynoski's studio Titmouse, Inc., Robin Red Breast, Inc.^{[4] [5]} and Disney Television Animation.^[6] The show is set in a fictional, futuristic version of Detroit named Detroit Deluxe, owned by the evil billionaire Abraham Kane; it is an elevated metropolis built over the old Detroit whose citizens are subject to strict laws and restricted freedom. Below the city lies a group of rebels calling themselves the Burners, led by Mike Chilton, who aspire to protect their underground home and safe haven, the titular Motorcity, from Kane's tyranny.

Motorcity premiered on Disney XD on April 30, 2012, and concluded on January 7, 2013. As revealed by Prynoski, the series was not renewed for a second season. Motorcity was Prynoski's first co-production with Disney; he would go on to co-produce future projects with the company, including , Kiff, and StuGo.

Synopsis

Motorcity occurs in a fictitious futuristic version of Detroit, which is an elevated metropolis built over the old Detroit, classified as Detroit Deluxe. It is owned by evil billionaire Abraham Kane (Mark Hamill). Ruling the citizens under strict laws, and banning personal freedoms including automobile transportation, Kane now faces one last obstacle: a group of hot-rod wielding rebels who call themselves the Burners. Led by Kane's former cadet Mike Chilton (Reid Scott), the Burners rise to stop Kane from conquering Detroit's last oasis of freedom—an underground refuge dubbed Motorcity.^[7]

Characters

Protagonists

The Burners

• Mike Chilton (voiced by Reid Scott) is the former cadet of Kane, leader of the Burners and the main protagonist of the series. He is a quick-witted, reckless individual who takes almost nothing seriously, except for his mission of taking down Kane.
• Chuck (voiced by Nate Torrence) is Mike's best friend and computer expert for the Burners. A cowardly individual who despite his fear of anything that moves, still sticks with his friends all the way.
• Julie (voiced by Kate Micucci) is the Burners' infiltration expert and inside connection to KaneCo. Unbeknownst to her fellow Burners, Kane is actually her father, but she makes little of an attempt to show she is against her father's tyranny.
• Dutch (voiced by Kel Mitchell) is the Burners' creative technological genius. A graffiti artist at heart, he initially came to Motorcity to escape Kane's iron fist, but his loyalty makes him a steadfast teammate.
  • R.O.T.H. is Dutch's cube-shaped robot assistant who has helped the team on a number of occasions. He was one of Kane's attack bots until Dutch reprogrammed him as his helper. He has an irrational fear of metal-eating robots, though like all attack bots, he is only made of synthetic polymers.
• Texas (voiced by Jess Harnell) is a violent, gung-ho powder keg who is dedicated to the Burners and his fierce determination usually makes him the first one on the battlefield when a fight breaks out. He wishes to one day lead the Burners, but never questions Mike's authority
• Jacob (voiced by Brian Doyle-Murray) is a hippie\biker type in his mid-60s and Kane's former partner, with lots of scientific and technological knowledge that is often buried under organic food talk.

Allies

• Claire (voiced by Dana Davis)^[8] is a valley girl who is Julie's best friend and confidant for her dual identities despite being uncomfortable in the slums of Motorcity.
• Dr. Hudson (voiced by Jim Cummings) is a scientist who was Jacob's student when KaneCo was "trying to help people, not exploit them". He was forced to make a supercharged power cell that threatened to annihilate all of Michagan.
• Rayon (voiced by Bumper Robinson) is the leader of a gang called the Skylarks, the owner of the Skylark Motel and a regular client of the Burners.
• Darr (voiced by Roshon Fegan) is Dutch's brother and new cadet to Kane.
• Tennie (voiced by Aimee Garcia) is an engineer and love interest of Dutch. She, her father Bracket and the Burners worked together to defend her home, the "Cablers' Settlement" against Kane's bots.
• Foxy (voiced by Jennifer Hale) is the Leader of the Amazons, an all-girl gang in Motorcity that specializes in fast high-tech vehicles that resemble Formula One Cars.

Villains

• Abraham "Abe" Kane (voiced by Mark Hamill) is the billionaire owner of Detroit Deluxe who serves as the main antagonist of the series. Kane is a wicked, megalomaniac industrialist who was responsible for building the new Detroit called Detroit Deluxe atop the old one, now named Motorcity, and plans to spread his empire by wiping out the Motorcitizen population.
  • Tooley (voiced by Jim Breuer) is Kane's dimwitted but loyal right-hand man.
• Kaia (voiced by Laraine Newman) is the leader of an eco-terrorist resistance group called "The Terra Dwellers", who live in a village outside Detroit that was destroyed by KaneCo's waste dumping. They were originally allies of the Burners before they learned of their cruel nature.
• The Duke of Detroit (voiced by Dee Snider)^[9] is a flamboyant, self-absorbed collector and lover of cars who owns a palace filled with guards and mint condition automobiles.
  • #2 (voiced by Tara Strong) is the Duke's Number 2, Not much is known about her except for the fact that she is extremely devoted to him and is very involved with his plans.
  • Cyborg Dan (voiced by Dave Wittenberg) is a robot who works for the Duke.
• Red (voiced by Eric Ladin) is a ghost from Mike's past who was indirectly responsible for Mike coming down to Motorcity, and had trained to get his revenge, even forming an alliance with Kane himself.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Storyboarded by	Original U.S. air date	Production code	U.S. viewers (millions) Season 1 (2012–13)

Production

Conception and development

According to series creator Chris Prynoski, he conceived the idea for the show in the early 1990s when he worked at MTV and "even made a trailer for it," adding that he showed it to development executive Eric Coleman, who was at Nickelodeon at the time; Coleman took a liking to it. Prynoski had revealed that he grown up worshipping car culture in Los Angeles and his inspirations for Motorcity were The Dukes of Hazzard and Star Wars.^{[10] [11]}

Around 1999, Prynoski began development of Motorcity.^[12] It was planned to be a series of 26 episodes, each one lasting for 22 minutes.^[13] The project's production was shelved a year later, after he founded his T-shirt company and later the animation studio Titmouse, Inc., and began work at Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Two pilots were produced, and he pitched the show to Disney investors in 2010. Eric Coleman would begin his tenure at Disney; during this time, he asked Prynoski whether he still had Motorcity, which he agreed to, partnering with Disney Television Animation to pick up production again, where it became the first intellectual property sold to them.^[14] Its production also started in October 2010.^[15]

For the production of the show, around 80 people worked on it, some from Europe and Japan, such as art director Antonio Canobbio and show director Juno Lee, vehicle designed Brandon Cuellar.^[16] As well, Robert Valley who worked on concept design.^[17] The first season was planned to have 20 episodes. Though it was not designed as a serial, Prynoski stated that "once the first few episodes set the stage, there will be more of a story arc. As the season unfolds, viewers can expect character-focused episodes that dig a little deeper into each of the Burners' personalities and backstories."^[18]

Animation

Motorcitys animation was made with a combination of 2D and 3D elements and effects, using software such as Adobe Flash, Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya for 3D models, and Adobe Photoshop for creation of elements and backgrounds, provided by Nepal-based studio Incessant Rain.^[19] Additionally, for the production of the show, Prynoski's production company Titmouse, Inc. created Facinator, an exclusive custom plug-in tool, that allows for the manipulation of 2D rigged head models from a wide array of angles, to simulate 3D animation. The tool itself was made for Motorcity, to blend well with the rest of the animation.^{[20] [21]}

Marketing and broadcast

Motorcity was first announced in October 2010, initially scheduled to come out in the fall of 2011. However, the show was delayed out of 2011, with the latest date being given around winter 2012.^{[22] [23]} Ultimately, in April of that year, it was announced and debuted on April 30, on Disney XD.^{[24] [25]} With the release on iTune Store in HD quality, following suit in May.^[26] In order to promote Motorcity, Disney XD released a mobile game on March 26, 2012, called Motorcity: Drive (see

1. Video game

).^[27] In April, Hyundai's Veloster sponsored the show along with its partner Rhys Millen to compete in the Global RallyCross Championship, piloted by Stephan Verdier.^{[28] [29]} At San Diego Comic-Con in July 13, the producers showed "never-before-seen" clips from then-new episodes of the show.^[30]

Internationally, Motorcity also premiered in other countries. In Canada it was May 26,^[31] in Japan it was September 22,^[32] and in Latin American countries it was July 2021, after first premiering online in 2013.^[33] Disney XD aired a marathon of the series in the United States on July 27, 2020.^[34]

International broadcast and streaming

On January 1, 2022, all episodes from Motorcity were made available on Disney+ Hotstar in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.^[35] The series premiered on Disney Channel in Latin American countries on September 16, 2023.^[36]

Reception

Critical reception

Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the show 4 out of 5 stars; and described the series as "too dark and intense for young kids". But she argued that "it's a rare to find an action-adventure cartoon that illustrates underlying social messages promoting awareness and activism". And overall recurring theme of "residents freedom". She also argued that "series is intended for a slightly older audience, since name-calling and violence are routine, but are examples of positive problem-solving and critical thinking".^[37]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Episode	Result	Ref.
2012	40th Annie Awards	Best General Audience Animated Television Production	Blonde Thunder		[38]
2013		Special Achievement in Animation
		Best General Audience Animated Television Production			[39] [40] [41]
2014	41st Annie Awards	Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production			[42]

Future

On November 5, 2012, it was revealed on the fan-run peopleofmotorcity Tumblr page that the series would not be renewed for a second season.^[43] An article by Screen Rant attributes this to Disney moving the show around different time slots, airing episodes out of order, and episodes airing in other countries before the United States, which led to Motorcitys ratings decreasing and, ultimately, Disney making the decision to cancel the show.^[44] Despite its, at the time, impending cancellation, the showrunners were able to finish production of the show in time, producing a two-part series finale that aired in January of 2013.^[45]

On April 29, 2013, crew member George Krstic posted a tweet that Prynoski's production company, Titmouse, was having a meeting on bringing back Motorcity and Megas XLR.^[46] No further news has been confirmed.

Related media

Planned toyline

A toyline for the show was planned while it was in development, but ultimately shelved. Artist Denis Canon's Tumblr reveals that the toyline was planned to have been made by Mattel. The only things made public of this toyline was a replica of Mutt's dog bobblehead.^{[47] [48] [49]}

Video game

Motorcity: Drive is a six-level, 3D racing shooter game that came out for mobile devices on March 26, 2012; it was released on iTunes and Disney XD's website, but it has since been delisted. Players control Mike's car, Mutt, as they battle Kane's army of robots with various weapons.^{[50] [51] [52]} Motorcity: Drive received mixed reviews from critics,^[53]

External links

• Motorcity at disneyxdmedianet.com

Notes and References

1. News: 2012-04-04 . Disney XD's 'Motorcity' Revs Up on April 30th . https://web.archive.org/web/20120409180104/http://d23.disney.go.com/news/2012/04/disney-xds-motorcity-revs-up-with-new-racer-game/ . 2012-04-09 . 2012-04-04 . Disney D23.
2. Web site: 2024-03-24 . Disney's New "Motorcity" Animated Series Fights for Vehicle Owner's Rights . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240324113855/https://www.motortrend.com/news/disneys-new-motorcity-animated-series-fights-for-vehicle-owners-rights-203497/ . 2024-03-24 . 2024-11-23 . MotorTrend.
3. News: Robbins . Caryn . 2012-04-05 . Chris Prynoski as Creator, Exec. Producer, and Director for Disney XD's 'Motorcity' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120430064749/http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/Disney-XD-to-Premiere-MOTORCITY-430-20120405 . April 30, 2012 . 2012-04-05 . Broadway World.
4. Web site: Breaking News - Disney XD Set to Premiere "Motorcity," a Turbo-Charged Animated Series Where Freedom Reigns, on Monday, April 30 . 2025-01-11 . The Futon Critic.
5. Web site: Baguio . Lindsey . 2012-04-30 . Made in Hollywood: 'Motorcity' on Disney XD Airs Mondays . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005185933/https://patch.com/california/hollywood/made-in-hollywood-motorcity-on-disney-xd-premieres-today . 2024-10-05 . 2025-03-31 . Hollywood, CA Patch . en.
6. Booth . John . 2010-10-13 . Road Trip! Destination: Motorcity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241005193951/https://www.wired.com/2010/10/road-trip-destination-motorcity/ . 2024-10-05 . 2025-06-19 . . en-US . 1059-1028.
7. Web site: Hill . Jim . 2012-04-30 . "Motorcity" brings some family-friendly anarchy (not to mention great racing sequences) to Disney XD . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250331193437/https://jimhillmedia.com/motorcity-brings-some-family-friendly-anarchy-not-to-mention-great-racing-sequences-to-disney-xd/ . 2025-03-31 . 2025-03-31 . Jim Hill Media . en-US.
8. Web site: Motorcity . live . 2025-11-19 . Behind The Voice Actors . en-US.
9. Web site: Schneider . Michael . 2012-05-31 . First Look: Dee Snider as The Duke of Detroit on Disney XD's Motorcity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150324175508/https://www.tvguide.com/news/dee-snider-motorcity-1048349/ . 2015-03-24 . 2025-05-05 . . en.
10. Web site: Booth . John . 2012-04-10 . Past and Future Collide in Disney's Motorcity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150424104158/http://geekdad.com/2012/04/disney-motorcity/ . 2015-04-24 . 2025-03-31 . GeekDad . en-US.
11. Web site: Zahed . Ramin . 2012-04-26 . 'Motorcity' Ready to Burn Rubber on Disney XD . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240929145757/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2012/04/watching-the-wheels/ . 2024-09-29 . 2024-12-09 . . en-US.
12. Web site: 1999 . Motorcity . https://web.archive.org/web/20001031071422/http://www.motor-city.com/index.html . October 31, 2000 . 2024-10-05. dead.
13. Web site: 2024-12-26 . Motorcity (2000) Mock-up Boxart . https://web.archive.org/web/20241226164043/https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/motorcitydisneyxd/images/7/73/MTV2.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20221223051939 . dead . 2024-12-26 . 2025-02-27 .
14. Web site: Galas . Marjorie . 2017-08-02 . Titmouse Takes Flight: On The Road With Chris Prynoski At Comic Con 2017 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20251110222547/https://la411.com/blog/post/titmouse-jay-z-brendan-smalls-comic-con-2017 . 2025-11-10 . 2025-11-10 . LA 411 . en.
15. Web site: 2010-10-13 . Titmouse, Disney Begin Production on Motorcity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241009204328/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2010/10/titmouse-disney-begin-production-on-motorcity/ . 2024-10-09 . 2024-10-27 . Animation Magazine . en-US.
16. Web site: 2012-05-02 . LA Company And US Animators Make The "Motorcity" Engines Run . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250331192424/https://la411.com/blog/post/la-company-and-us-animators-make-the-motorcity-engines-run . 2025-03-31 . 2025-03-31 . LA 411 . en.
17. Web site: Tsuka . 2012-04-30 . Motorcity, extraits et vidéos making-of . Motorcity, excerpts and making-of videos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503223843/https://www.catsuka.com/news/2012-04-30/motorcity-quelques-videos-making-of-en-attendant-une-dif-francaise . 2012-05-03 . 2025-11-03 . Catsuka . fr-FR.
18. Booth . John . 2012-04-10 . Past and Future Collide in Disney's Motorcity . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305043752/http://www.wired.com/2012/04/disney-motorcity/ . 2016-03-05 . 2025-03-31 . Wired . en-US . 1059-1028.
19. Web site: Beck . Jerry . 2012-04-27 . Exclusive: "Motorcity" Production Footage and Deleted Scene . 2024-09-20 . . en-US.
20. Web site: 2012-04-27 . Disney XD's Motorcity Firing on All Cylinders . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712090324/http://www.coldhardflash.com/2012/04/disney-xds-motorcity-firing-on-all-cylinders.html . July 12, 2017 . 2024-09-20. Simpson, Aaron. dead. Cold Hard Flash.
21. Web site: . 2012-01-31 . Chris P On Titmouse Migration . https://web.archive.org/web/20170712083159/http://www.coldhardflash.com/2012/01/chris-p-on-titmouse-migration.html . July 12, 2017 . 2024-09-20. Cold Hard Flash. dead.
22. Web site: Tsuka . 2011-11-13 . Motorcity, par le créateur de Downtown - (série de Titmouse pour Disney) . Motorcity, by the creator of Downtown - (a Titmouse series for Disney) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240918150956/https://www.catsuka.com/news/2011-11-13/motorcity-par-le-createur-de-downtown-serie-de-titmouse-pour-disney . 2024-09-18 . 2024-09-21 . Catsuka.com . fr.
23. Web site: Arrant . Chris . 2011-03-18 . Disney Bumps Original Series Slate 30% in the Disney Channel Family Upfronts . 2024-11-13 . . en-US.
24. Web site: Arrant . Chris . 2012-04-05 . "Motorcity" Set to Premiere April 30 on Disney XD . 2024-09-22 . . en-US.
25. Web site: animation_magazine . 2012-04-05 . Disney XD Revs Up April 30 Bow for 'Motorcity' . 2024-11-23 . en-US.
26. Web site: Tsuka . 2012-05-01 . Nouveau trailer de Tron Uprising + 1er épisode de Motocity (séries américaines) . New trailer for Tron Uprising + first episode of Motocity (American series) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120503221750/https://www.catsuka.com/news/2012-05-01/nouveau-trailer-de-tron-uprising-plus-1er-episode-de-motocity-series-americaines . 2012-05-03 . 2025-11-03 . Catsuka . fr-FR.
27. Web site: Disney XD's 'Motorcity' Revs Up with Racer Game . 2024-09-21 . Animation World Network . en.
28. Web site: Siu . Jason . 2012-04-09 . Hyundai Veloster Sponsored by Disney XD to Compete in Global RallyCross . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120413042814/http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/04/hyundai-veloster-sponsored-by-disney-xd-to-compete-in-global-rallycross.html . 2012-04-13 . 2025-03-31 . Autoguide.com . en.
29. Web site: Wolfe . Jennifer . 2012-04-05 . Disney HD to Premiere 'Motorcity' April 30 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241110204254/https://www.awn.com/news/disney-hd-premiere-motorcity-april-30 . 2024-11-10 . 2024-11-23 . . en.
30. Web site: Disney Unveils Comic-Con 2012 Lineup . 2025-02-09 . Animation World Network . en.
31. Web site: 2012-05-10 . Disney XD Starts Its Engine with the Premiere of Motorcity on May 26 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250420104402/https://www.channelcanada.com/canadian-channels/specialty-tv/disney-xd-canada/disney-xd-starts-its-engine-with-the-premiere-of-motorcity-on-may-26/ . 2025-04-20 . 2024-11-23 . Channel Canada . en-US.
32. Web site: 2023-11-09 . The Sky Screams Shonen Spirit on Tumblr . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109014820/https://www.tumblr.com/samurai-sky/30306632015/motorcity-will-first-air-in-japan-on-sept-22-sat . 2023-11-09 . 2025-02-27.
33. Web site: Facundo . Bracamonte . 2021-06-02 . Motorcity Se Estrenará por Disney Xd Latinoamérica en Julio . Motorcity to Premiere on Disney XD Latin America in July . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602030748/https://www.tvlaint.com/2021/06/motorcity-se-estrenara-por-disney-xd.html . 2021-06-02 . 2024-09-22 . TVLaint . es.
34. Web site: 2020-07-13 . MotorCity To Get A Late Night Rerun Marathon At... - Disney Television Animation News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250216172741/https://disneytvanimation.com/post/623582325016576000/motorcity-to-get-a-late-night-rerun-marathon-at . 2025-02-16 . 2025-02-16 . Tumblr.
35. Web site: 2024-09-20 . MotorCity Gets Added On Disney+ Hotstar On... - Disney Television Animation News . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240920163721/https://disneytvanimation.com/post/672214555838038016/motorcity-gets-added-on-disney-hotstar-on . 2024-09-20 . 2025-02-16 . Tumblr.
36. Web site: Bracamonte . Facundo . 2023-09-16 . "Motorcity" se Estrena en el Sabatón de Disney Channel Latinoamérica . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003165422/https://www.tvlaint.com/2023/09/motorcity-se-estrena-en-el-sabaton-de.html . 2023-10-03 . 2024-09-21 . TVLaint . es.
37. Web site: Ashby . Emily . Motorcity TV Review . 2024-08-18 . . en.
38. Web site: Beck . Jerry . 2012-12-03 . Annie Award Nominations 2012 . 2025-01-19 . Cartoon Brew . en-US.
39. Web site: Flores . Terry . 2013-12-02 . 'Frozen,' 'Monsters University' Top Annie Awards Noms with 10 Each . 2025-01-11 . . en-US.
40. Web site: Amidi . Amid . Amid Amidi . 2013-12-02 . Complete List of 2013 Annie Award Nominations . 2025-01-19 . Cartoon Brew . en-US.
41. Web site: 52nd Annual Annie Awards . 2025-01-19 . annieawards.org . en.
42. Web site: 52nd Annual Annie Awards . 2025-01-19 . annieawards.org . en.
43. Web site: 2012-11-05 . People of MotorCity, Motorcitizens, we need to talk... . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130113152602/http://peopleofmotorcity.tumblr.com/post/35071267582/motorcitizens-we-need-to-talk . 2013-01-13 . 2025-01-20 . Tumblr.
44. Web site: Aitchison . Sean . 2018-01-17 . 15 Great Cartoons Canceled For Terrible Reasons . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207091141/https://screenrant.com/cartoons-canceled-terrible-reasons/ . 2019-02-07 . 2025-07-11 . . en.
45. Web site: Witiw . John . 2021-03-23 . 10 Cartoons That Were Canceled Before Their Time . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210324020620/https://www.cbr.com/canceled-cartoons-before-their-time/ . 2021-03-24 . 2025-06-25 . Comic Book Resources (CBR) . en.
46. 328962947995013121 . GeorgeKrstic . The Council has been summoned! Meeting with @TitmouseInc @chrisprynoski tonight to talk #bringbackmotorcity & #bringbackmegasxlr stay tuned! . George Krstic . 2013-04-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140123140230/https://twitter.com/GeorgeKrstic/status/328962947995013121 . 2014-01-23 . dead. "Motorcity" (MTV Pilot)
47. Web site: 2024-07-15 . CANONVISION - Works Of Art . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20240715182710/https://denniscanon.weebly.com/ . 2024-07-15 . 2025-02-27.
48. Web site: Motorcity Toyline Graphics 1 .
49. Web site: Motorcity Toyline Graphics 2 .
50. Web site: Robbins . Caryn . Disney XD Announces Launch of MOTORCITY Racer Game . 2025-03-31 . BroadwayWorld.com . en.
51. Web site: Disney's Motorcity app gets into gear . 2025-03-31.
52. Web site: Breaking News - New Disney XD Series "Motorcity" Revs Up with Racer Game for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch . 2025-01-11 . The Futon Critic.
53. Web site: Wadsworth . Jason . 2012-03-29 . Motorcity: Drive Review . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20250601163602/https://www.148apps.com/motorcity-drive/motorcity-drive-review/ . 2025-06-01 . 2025-06-01 . 148apps . en.