March 02, 2005
Pantoliano Holding Out in "SpongeBob" Contract Talks
HOLLYWOOD (March 2, 2005) /DHC Wire/ -- Robert S. Pantoliano, the child actor whose role as SpongeBob SquarePants helped define a generation of animated children's shows, is holding out on contract negotiations for the next season of his namesake show.
Pantoliano, speaking through his agent, expressed dissatisfaction with the direction the show is heading, saying tthat he'd like to see SpongeBob take on more serious themes.
"I feel I've matured as an actor, but the SpongeBob personna hasn't grown along with me," said Pantoliano in a statement. "I've seen what stagnation has done to my good friend and mentor, Bart Simpson -- ay carumba! -- and I don't want to go down that path."
Sources familiar with the negotiations say Nickelodeon's latest offer of $1 million per episode is still on the table. Pantoliano's production company, Seawide Pants, has recently purchased rights to Bob Hope's autobiography, leading to speculation that a SpongeBob Hope Movie may be in the works. Seawide Pants is currently casting for a remake of Woody Allen's Bananas, tentatively titled Pineapple Republic, starring Pantoliano in the Allen role.