Nickelodeon to Relaunch Dora the Explorer with Diana Zermeño’s Animated Theatrical Short “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures”

It’s a fantastical time for Diana Zermeño.

Nickelodeon is relaunching the famed Latina explorer in new animated theatrical short, Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, featuring the Latina actress in the voice cast as the titular character, exclusively in theaters on Friday, September 29.

Dora and the Fantastical CreaturesThe short film will precede the Spin Master Entertainment/Nickelodeon Movies/Paramount picture, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

It’s a Dora like you’ve never seen her before — in complete CGI animation.

The new CGI animated preschool series of Dora will debut in spring 2024 on Paramount+ stateside. Internationally, Dora will stream day-and-date on Paramount+ and air on Nickelodeon channels in all markets where available.

In Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, Dora (Zermeño) and Boots (Asher Spence) embark on an incredible adventure to the land of alebrijes, the most magical and colorful creatures in the rainforest. There, they must band together against Swiper (Marc Weiner) to save the beloved alebrijes and their Copal Tree Celebration.

The short film also features: Anairis Quiñones as Luna Arcoiris; Danny Burstein as Sol; and Kate del Castillo as Ale. Following the debut of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures, additional Dora content will also be available across Nickelodeon platforms, Paramount+ and Noggin.

The short is produced by Nickelodeon Animation in Burbank, Calif. William Mata is directing from a screenplay by Alejandro Bien-Willner and a story by Bien-Willner and Sean Gill. Production is overseen by Eryk Casemiro, Executive Vice President, Global Animated Series, Nickelodeon. Miriam Ritchie and Marielle Kaar serve as Nickelodeon’s Executives in Charge of Production for the short. Dora the Explorer is created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh Valdes and Eric Weiner.

Joining the cast of Dora and the Fantastical Creatures in the new Dora series are additional voice actors, including: Anairis Quiñones as Map and The Fiesta Trio’s armadillo; Maria Canals-Barrera as Abuela; Danny Burstein as Grumpy Old Troll, and The Fiesta Trio’s frog and marmoset; Katarina Sky as Backpack; Donovan Monzon-Sanders as Tico; Tandi Fomukong as Isa; Quintún Muñoz as Benny; and Chris Gifford as Big Red Chicken.

Brice Gonzalez Joins Voice Cast of Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon & Paramount’s Sequel “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie”

It’s paws up for Brice Gonzalez

The young Latino actor, TikTok star and Lopez vs. Lopez scene-stealer has joined the voiceover ensemble cast of Spin Master EntertainmentNickelodeonParamount’s sequel PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

Brice GonzalezGonzalez, who rose to acclaim as part of the EnkyBoys with his late father, will voice one of a trio of new pups, alongside Alan Kim and North West, who joins her mom Kim Kardashian who returns as Delores from the first film, along with a cameo from brother Saint West.

Other voice cast members include Kristen Bell, Christian Convery, McKenna Grace, Lil Rel HoweryJames MarsdenFinn Lee-Epp as Ryder and tennis ace Serena Williams.

Additional cast members reprising their roles include Marsai Martin (Liberty), Ron Pardo (Mayor Humdinger) and Callum Shoniker (Rocky). New cast members also include Luxton Handspiker (PAW Patrol series), Christian Corrao (Dino Dana) and Nylan Parthipan (PAW Patrol series).

All of them join Taraji P. Henson in the feature, which is hitting theaters on October 13.

The film’s score is composed and produced by Emmy-nominated Pinar Toprak.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the PAW Patrol franchise, and what better way to celebrate than the release of our second feature film,” said Jennifer Dodge, Spin Master’s President of Entertainment and producer of the film. “As we continue to expand the PAW Patrol universe for fans, we’ll follow the pups on mightier missions and explore their backstories, this time with a heartwarming tale centered around our heroine Skye. With this cast of dynamic voice talent, we’re bringing a whole new level of excitement to the big screen.”

Added Ramsey Naito, President of Nickelodeon Animation and Paramount Animation, “Following the historic success of the first film, which truly reinforced the global love for this franchise, we knew that this sequel called not only for an equally great story, but for world-class talent to bring these characters to life once again.”

The first PAW Patrol: Movie was a theatrical-day-and-date title with streaming service Paramount+. The movie opened to No. 1 in more than 25 countries and ultimately amassed $150M+ worldwide. It also became one of the most-watched Paramount+ originals.

PAW Patrol: The Movie helmer Cal Brunker directs again with his writing partner Bob Barlen, who takes on the role as associate producer.