First look–Jem goes from 1980s animated series to big screen adaptation

G.I. Joe: Retaliation director Jon M. Chu is transforming another 1980s animated television series into a live action theatrical release. The series Jem ran three seasons and 65 episodes, between 1985 and 1988. Jerrica Benton was the secret leader of the glam rock, all-girl band in the original series. The band’s name, Jem and the Holograms, will soon be the title of the live action film. The original Jem prompted a successful toy line from Hasbro, one of the companies bringing the series to the big screen.

The magical elements of Jem do not appear to have made it to the new movie. In the animated series Jerrica projected a holographic image over her own to disguise herself. Aubrey Peeples (Sharknado), who could almost be a ringer for actress/singer Zooey Deschanel, now stars as Jerrica, who takes on the persona of Jem as her career in music takes off, thanks to a music producer played by Juliette Lewis. The 1980s brat pack star Molly Ringwald co-stars.

Isn’t that Ryan Hansen, Dick Casablancas from Veronica Mars, at the end of the trailer, getting an autograph from Jem?

Check out this preview for Jem and the Holograms:

Good news for fans of the original series: Jem’s original voice actors Samantha Newark and Britta Phillips are expected to make cameo appearances in the film.