Fred: The Movie Going from YouTube to Theaters

When 16-year-old Lucas Cruikshank of Nebraska created the character of Fred Figglehorn, a tantrum-throwing six-year-old, four years ago to feature in YouTube videos, odds are he never expected Fred: The Movie.

But, as The New York Times reports, that’s just what he’s getting, as director and producer Brian Robbins (Norbit, Varsity Blues, Smallville), United Talent Agency, The Collective and writer David A. Goodman (an executive producer of Family Guy) began filming Fred: The Movie in November for a 2010 release.

Cruikshank portrays Fred, joined by British singer and actress Pixie Lott as the co-star, the Times reported.

According to the Times, Fred: The Movie follows Fred as he tries to track down his crush, Judy, digging a hole from his backyard to hers, fantasizing about an invisibility suit, getting lost in the woods, getting buried in sand and, when he finally does find Judy, vomiting on her.

Robbins told the Times, “Given Fred’s audience on YouTube, could this be bigger than a heavyweight fight on pay-per-view? I think so,” and Goodman added, “It felt like there was enough story there to make a movie. There’s a point of view.”

And Cruikshank told the newspaper, “I just took how kids act in that age group and exaggerated it by 100%. He’s (Fred) an acquired taste, I guess, like sushi.”

Join Baratunde Thurston (left), The Onion’s Director of Digital and author of How to Be Black, for an entertaining look at creative social media campaigns in our Social Media Marketing Boot Camp starting February 16. Other speakers include Morin Oluwole (Facebook), Tim Devane (bitly), and SocialTimes' writer Devon Glenn.   Register now.