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Hatching Pete
Hatching Pete
Hatching Pete
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Hatching Pete
Promotional poster
Written byPaul W. Cooper
Directed byStuart Gillard
StarringJason Dolley
Mitchel Musso
Tiffany Thornton
Josie Loren
Sean O'Bryan
Amy Farrington
Crawford Wilson
Aramis Knight
Edward Herrmann
Brian Stepanek
Music byNathan Wang
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersStuart Gillard
Randy Sutter
CinematographyGordon C. Lonsdale
EditorRobin Russell
Running time89 minutes
Production companiesJust Singer Entertainment
Salty Pictures
Original release
NetworkDisney Channel
ReleaseApril 24, 2009 (2009-04-24)

Hatching Pete is a 2009 American comedy film released as a Disney Channel Original Movie. It first aired on April 24, 2009, on Disney Channel UK and later Disney Channel and Family. It was released on DVD in America on May 12, 2009, together with Dadnapped.

Plot

[edit]

Brewster High School student Pete Ivey finds that Cammie Poole, his crush, has already been asked out by Dill, the captain of the basketball team. At home, Pete's father tells him that to get Cammie's attention he has to give her something to notice.

On their way to the Brewster High basketball game, Cammie's brother and Pete's best friend, Cleatus Poole, comes over to ask Pete for a favor. Cleatus is the Brewster High mascot, but he has discovered he is allergic to the suit. He pleads for Pete to wear the chicken suit instead. As part of the bargain, Cleatus tells Pete he will get his sister on a date with him. After a rocky start, Pete realizes that he is attracting Cammie's attention and acts more adventurously inside the suit. Upon seeing his own new-found natural talent for being mascot, Pete agrees to be "The Chicken" full-time. Meanwhile, Pete develops a crush on cheerleader Angela Morrisey. They are both chosen for the parade float committee and become friends while working together on the float.

On the day of the parade, the town shows up for the festival and "The Chicken" is a big hit. During a dance number however, Cleatus is accidentally discovered. Pete, escaping the crowd, steals the sheriff's car to get away. Angela sees him walking and offers him a ride. Angela expresses relief that "The Chicken" is not Cleatus because of her developing romantic feelings for whoever is inside. Based on the adoration that the town shares for "The Chicken" and due to the financial incentives of having people attending the games, the sheriff decides to drop the charges.

Pete returns during the final game to rally both the players and the crowd. During a time out, Pete removes the mascot head at the urging of the audience. Cleatus congratulates him for his talent as the chicken and the audience cheers for him as well as Pete's parents, who express how proud they are of their son. The team finishes with a last second score to win the game, and when the cheerleaders tumble in their celebration, Angela falls on Pete and they kiss. Cleatus tells Pete to put his chicken head back on and join the Brewster Roosters to celebrate their only win of the year.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

The premiere of the movie was viewed by 4.1 million viewers, becoming the third Disney movie in three years with less than 5 million viewers for the premiere.[1]

David Nusair called the movie (along with Dadnapped) "typically underwhelming Disney Channel fare."[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hatching Pete

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Hatching Pete is a American teen produced by as an Original Movie. Directed by Stuart Gillard and written by Paul W. Cooper, it stars and . The film premiered on in the United States on April 24, . With a runtime of 90 minutes, Hatching Pete blends humor and coming-of-age elements, emphasizing themes of identity and self-confidence.

Development

Concept and Writing

Hatching Pete originated as an original for a Disney Channel Original Movie, conceived as a lighthearted teen centered on themes of and social popularity facilitated by the anonymity of a school . The story draws inspiration from common high school experiences, where introverted students navigate the challenges of and gaining recognition among peers. The screenplay was penned by Paul W. Cooper, a veteran writer with over 70 credits, who emphasized the contrast between and extroversion through the protagonists' interactions without delving into profound psychological exploration. Cooper's script highlights comedic elements arising from the mascot's exaggerated performances and incorporates a romantic subplot to appeal to its target demographic. Development progressed as a project finalized around 2008, tailored specifically for tween and teen viewers seeking relatable, fun narratives about adolescence. Key creative decisions prioritized humorous mascot antics and budding romance over dramatic intensity, ensuring a tone suitable for broadcast.

Casting

The lead role of Pete Ivey was given to , selected for his prior experience portraying introverted teen characters in Disney Channel Original Movies such as (2006), where he played a shy high school student, and (2008). was cast as Cleatus Poole to capitalize on his established extroverted energy from his role as the outgoing Oliver Oken on Hannah Montana (2006–2011). Supporting roles were filled with emerging Disney talent, including as the cheerleader Jamie Wynn, drawing from her bubbly, confident persona developed in (2009–2011), and as Angela Morrissey, aligning with her youthful, athletic screen presence in early projects. Casting occurred in 2008 ahead of , with a focus on young actors already affiliated with to facilitate across the network's programming. Minor roles, such as as Coach Mackey, were assigned to experienced performers to support ensemble dynamics and chemistry among the teen leads.

Production

Filming

Principal photography for Hatching Pete was directed by Stuart Gillard, who also served as co-producer alongside Sheri Singer and Randy Sutter. The production was handled by Just Singer Entertainment and Salty Pictures. Filming took place primarily in the area of , beginning in late 2008. Key locations included Hillcrest High School in Midvale, which stood in for the fictional Brewster High School scenes, as well as exterior shots in Payson. Additional filming occurred around and at Juan Diego Catholic High School. The production schedule spanned several weeks in early 2008, with emphasis on sequences involving the school's activities and the game climax. To accommodate the action-oriented mascot scenes, Carolyn Leone created six specialized chicken suits, including versions for lead actors, performers, and a mascot handler. In post-production, editing was completed by Robin Russell, with visual effects supervised by Derek Zavada and edited by Erica Jean at Mechnology, primarily enhancing crowd scenes and other minor elements. The film wrapped in time for its in 2009.

Music

The original score for Hatching Pete was composed by , who crafted upbeat tracks to accompany the comedic mascot scenes and romantic cues to underscore emotional developments in the story. A featured original song, "", was written specifically for the film by Vincent Alfieri, Sarai Howard, Julian Davis, Ali Dee, and Alana Da Fonseca and performed by leads and ; it plays during a key emotional moment. No full commercial was released for the movie, with the music primarily designed to enhance its teen comedy vibe without a pop-heavy emphasis; "" was instead included on the 2009 compilation album . The film's integrates crowd cheers and sound effects—such as rooster crows and comedic boings—synced with Wang's score to amplify the high-energy sequences.

Synopsis and Cast

Plot

Pete Ivey is a shy and introverted high student at Brewster High , where he spends most of his time with his best friend, Cleatus , an outgoing performer who serves as the , a giant . When Cleatus develops a severe allergic reaction to the during a , he begs Pete to secretly take over the role to uphold his family tradition of mascots and avoid disappointing the , leading Pete to become the anonymous "Hatching Pete." As Hatching Pete, the typically reserved Pete discovers a hidden talent for entertaining crowds with energetic dances and antics, unexpectedly revitalizing and drawing massive attendance to the struggling games, which helps turn around the team's performance. This newfound popularity allows Pete to interact more freely, including developing a romantic interest in cheerleader Angela Morrissey while collaborating with her on a float project, shifting his initial crush from Cleatus's sister Cammie to Angela. Meanwhile, Cleatus publicly claims credit for the mascot's success, enjoying the social benefits and attention from head cheerleader Jamie Wynn, whom he hopes to impress, but this sparks jealousy and tension as Pete's superior performances in the suit overshadow Cleatus's expectations. Throughout the rising action, Pete's mascot persona navigates rivalries, including subtle conflicts with Jamie over school event dynamics, while subtly aiding the team's momentum through morale-boosting routines that inspire key wins. Subplots explore Pete's evolving self-confidence, as the suit empowers him to express himself boldly, contrasted with Cleatus's growing envy over the role's demands and the deception's strain on their friendship. The narrative builds to a climax during the championship game, where Cleatus's attempt to resume the mascot duties fails dramatically, forcing Pete to reveal his identity to the crowd. In the resolution, Pete confesses his feelings to Angela after the team secures victory, embracing his authentic self as the town forgives the ruse and celebrates his contributions, culminating in a romantic and strengthened bonds with Cleatus, who relinquishes the role permanently.

Cast

The principal cast of Hatching Pete includes:
ActorRoleDescription
Pete IveyShy high school student who becomes the secret .
Cleatus PooleOutgoing best friend and original , allergic to the .
Jamie WynnHead cheerleader, Cleatus's crush.
Angela MorrisseyKind cheerleader who becomes Pete's love interest.
Coach MackeySchool basketball coach motivating the team.
Doris IveyPete's supportive mother.
Crawford WilsonDil JensenAntagonistic student.
Additional cast members include as Wendell Pate, as Principal Fred Daly, and as Leon Ivey.

Release

Broadcast

Hatching Pete world premiered on Disney Channel in the United States on April 24, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The film also debuted on in the United Kingdom on the same date, marking an early international rollout for the Disney Channel Original Movie. It premiered in on Family Channel on April 24, 2009. Additional international broadcasts included on May 23, 2009, on July 12, 2009, and on September 26, 2009. Promotions for the movie were integrated into Disney Channel's lineup, advertised alongside other original films like Dadnapped to build anticipation among viewers. With a runtime of 89 minutes, the film was edited for television broadcast to fit standard programming slots. Following its debut, Hatching Pete entered regular rotation on Disney Channel, with multiple rebroadcasts throughout the 2010s as part of the network's family programming schedule.

Home Media

The DVD release of Hatching Pete occurred on May 12, 2009, through Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment as a double-feature disc bundled with the film Dadnapped. This edition presented the movie in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen format with Dolby Surround 2.0 audio, including English and Spanish subtitles. Special features on the disc were limited, featuring a behind-the-scenes featurette titled "Unmasking the Mascot" (11:21), trailers, and supplementary content from the bundled film such as an extended ending and a music video. The packaging consisted of a single-sided, dual-layered DVD-9 in a white keepcase with a cardboard slipcover, priced at a suggested retail of $26.99. Digitally, Hatching Pete became available for streaming on Disney+ at the service's launch on November 12, 2019. It has experienced periodic removals and re-additions to the platform due to content rotation strategies, but as of November 2025, it remains accessible for subscribers worldwide where the service operates. The film is also offered for permanent digital purchase or rental on platforms including Apple TV (iTunes), Amazon Video, and , typically in standard and high-definition formats. The home media release focused primarily on Region 1 (), with limited official Region 2 distribution in , including availability in through the double-feature DVD. As part of the broader Original Movies catalog, the double-feature DVD achieved modest commercial performance, contributing to the steady but non-blockbuster sales typical of mid-tier DCOM home video titles in the late 2000s.

Reception

Viewership

The U.S. premiere of Hatching Pete on April 24, 2009, drew 4.1 million total viewers according to . This figure positioned it as one of the lower-rated Original Movies (DCOMs) of the late , with viewership below high-profile contemporaries such as (17.2 million viewers in 2007) and (8.9 million in 2008), but comparable to other mid-tier entries like (4.6 million in 2009). The film's audience skewed heavily toward children and tweens, aligning with Disney Channel's core demographic of ages 6-14. It ranked as the top cable TV movie of April 2009 among Kids 6-11 (1.7 million viewers, 7.0 rating) and Tweens 9-14 (1.6 million viewers, 6.4 rating), delivering strong performance within its target groups despite the overall modest total.

Critical Response

Hatching Pete received mixed reviews from critics and s upon its release. On , the film holds a 5.3 out of 10 rating based on over 3,200 user votes (as of November 2025). Similarly, it earned a 59% score on from 79 ratings, reflecting a generally lukewarm reception (as of November 2025). Professional critics noted both strengths and shortcomings in the film's execution. David Nusair of Reel Film Reviews described it as "a slight cut above its made-for-the-Disney-Channel brethren," praising the affable cast, including Jason Dolley's charismatic performance as the shy protagonist and the strong supporting roles that added energy to the story. He highlighted the entertaining mascot humor and minimal puerility compared to similar Disney productions, crediting the performers' chemistry—particularly between Dolley and —for keeping the proceedings engaging. Emily Ashby of awarded it a positive review, emphasizing its value for tweens through strong messages on self-confidence, , and , and commending the talented young cast for making the premise surprisingly enjoyable across age groups. However, criticisms focused on the film's formulaic elements. Nusair critiqued the "almost hopelessly hackneyed premise" and lack of plot development, noting that repetition and a tendency to fizzle out undermined the second half, resulting in an underdeveloped romance subplot. Reviewers commonly pointed to its lack of originality within the Original Movie genre, with predictable storytelling that echoed other teen comedies despite the unique mascot concept. The film received no major awards but earned a nomination for in the Best Performance in a TV Movie category at the 2010 Young Artist Awards.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hatching-pete
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/
  3. https://movies.disney.com/hatching-pete
  4. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/hatching-pete
  5. https://www.lulu.com/shop/paul-w-cooper/hatching-pete-the-script/paperback/product-20271747.html
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0178294/
  7. https://www.scripts.com/script/hatching_pete_9678
  8. https://dvdizzy.com/jasondolley-interview.html
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/fullcredits/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/companycredits/
  11. https://www.deseret.com/2008/3/19/20077304/disney-movie-parades-through-payson/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/locations/
  13. https://www.ksl.com/article/6236766/disney-movie-filmed-at-hillcrest-high
  14. https://www.ksl.com/article/46672560/got-disney-keep-an-eye-out-for-these-movies-filmed-in-utah
  15. https://www.carolynleone.com/copy-of-being-charlie
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/soundtrack/
  17. https://genius.com/Mitchel-musso-let-it-go-lyrics/q/writer
  18. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Hatching_Pete
  19. https://disneychannel.fandom.com/wiki/Hatching_Pete
  20. https://www.shineon-media.com/2009/03/09/hatching-pete-premieres-april-24th-jonas-set-sneak-peek/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/releaseinfo/
  22. https://video.disney.com/watch/dadnapped-hatching-pete-4bb39e8e220aaa8833003b15
  23. https://dcba.fandom.com/wiki/Hatching_Pete
  24. https://dvdizzy.com/hatchingpete-dadnapped.html
  25. https://klaq.com/every-single-thing-coming-to-disney-at-launch-date/
  26. https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-97989d4e-b047-4cfe-93fb-13a361acd064
  27. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/hatching-pete/umc.cmc.1yan3vx0yqsshl7khc2c0e1bo
  28. https://www.amazon.de/Hatching-Pete-Dadnapped-Double-Feature/dp/B001R3YRIU
  29. https://dvdizzy.com/disneytvmovies-dcom.html
  30. https://www.nickandmore.com/kids-tv-history/list-of-disney-channel-original-movies/
  31. https://www.awn.com/news/disney-channel-1-among-tweens-april
  32. https://reelfilm.com/disdoub1.htm
  33. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1222818/awards/
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