"The Zeta Project" (2001) TV series 2001-2003

Creator:

Bob Goodman
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

27 January 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A robot rebels against its creators, refusing to kill, and goes on the run.

Plot Keywords:

Robot | Android | Futuristic | Spin Off | Shape Shifter

Awards:

5 nominations

Cast

Diedrich Bader	...	Zee / ... (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Julie Nathanson	...	Rosalie Rowan / ... (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Kurtwood Smith	...	Agent James Bennet (14 episodes, 2001-2002)
Michael Rosenbaum	...	Agent West (12 episodes, 2001-2002)

Series Directed by
Rob Davies		(7 episodes, 2001)
Curt Geda		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Jim Maltby		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Bob Doucette		(2 episodes, 2001)
Liz Holzman		(unknown episodes)
Dan Riba		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Joseph Kuhr		(15 episodes, 2001-2002)
Bob Goodman		(8 episodes, 2001-2002)
Hilary Bader		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Paul Diamond		(3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Randy Rogel		(unknown episodes)
Tom Sheppard		(unknown episodes)
Ned Teitelbaum		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Bob Goodman	....	producer (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Haven Alexander	....	associate producer (14 episodes, 2002)
Alan Burnett	....	supervising producer (unknown episodes)
Liz Holzman	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Jean MacCurdy	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Lolita Ritmanis		(10 episodes, 2001-2002)
Michael McCuistion		(9 episodes, 2001-2002)
Kristopher Carter		(7 episodes, 2001-2002)
Shirley Walker		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Anna Granfors		(14 episodes, 2002)

Series Production Design by
Rosalina Tchouchev		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Ivan Romero	....	storyboard assistant (1 episode, 2001)

Series Sound Department
George Brooks	....	sound effects editor (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Robert Hargreaves	....	sound effects editor / sound re-recording mixer (26 episodes, 2001-2002)

Series Animation Department
Mark Lewis	....	designer: prop (14 episodes, 2002)
Ovi Nedelcu	....	character designer (12 episodes, 2001)
Jasin Sloan	....	additional animatic editor (12 episodes, 2001)
Justin Schultz	....	animatics (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Mark Mattson	....	composer: theme music / music mixer (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Lolita Ritmanis	....	composer: title music / conductor / ... (26 episodes, 2001-2002)
Mako Sujishi	....	music mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Dane Taylor	....	production technology (13 episodes, 2001-2002)
Jann A. Adachi	....	client services: post-production (12 episodes, 2001)
Lisa M. Beckwith	....	client services: post-production (12 episodes, 2001)
Jon Fisher	....	client services: post-production (12 episodes, 2001)
Melissa J.L. Smith	....	client services manager (12 episodes, 2001)
Randy Yamanouye	....	client services: post-production (12 episodes, 2001)
Rich Fogel	....	story editor (unknown episodes)
Steve Kindernay	....	production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Andrea Romano	....	voice director (unknown episodes)
Xandy Sussan	....	assistant to writers (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros. Animation

Distributors

• Kids' WB
• YTV

Also Known As:

Runtime:

USA:30 min (26 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Company:

Warner Bros. Animation

Quotes:

Zeta:My name is Zeta. I was built as a weapon to destroy, but I will not destroy anymore.

Movie Connections:

Spin off from "Batman Beyond" (1999)

Zeta was a-Greata

As a spin off for a character introduced in Batman Beyond, this cartoon series went beyond the scope of adventure. Zeta was an experimental infiltration robot equipped with weaponry and a holographic self-projector that allows it to assume any identity. However, negating his own programming, he refused to kill. He fled his employers merely attempting to find his creator to prove that he is acting on his own free will. The government doesn't know that, and hunt him down as they think he is rogue. Along the way Zeta hooks up with Ro, a teenage girl, and they assist each other in their treks.

Diedrich Bader (The Drew Carey Show) lends his voice to the peaceful, naive and near-human robot, sounding the least bit threatening and true to Zeta's nature. The friendship between the child-like Zeta and Ro is genuinely portrayed. The supporting characters who chase him are great, including the government agents, and a young genius whom at one point reprogrammed Zeta. The Zeta Project is indeed a combination of Short Circuit and The Fugitive, balanced out by fantastic action, excellent characterization, and plenty of comedic moments.

In one episode, Batman Beyond even makes a cool guest appearance. Sadly, KidsWB canceled this exceptional show, leaving Ro and Zeta's quest hanging.