( CNN ) -- `` Black Dynamite '' has a new lease on life . This time around , the hero of the 2009 film that lampooned blaxploitation movies is in animated form in a new series on Cartoon Network 's Adult Swim program block . Some of the actors from the film will reprise their roles , but there will be changes as well . The movie , which enjoyed only a two-week theatrical release despite premiering at the Sundance Film Festival , was deliberately cheesy . To parody the cheap , hastily produced blaxploitation films , `` Black Dynamite '' actors intentionally chewed up scenery or performed awkwardly . There were telltale signs of a second-rate production , such as the appearance of a boom mike . The new `` Black Dynamite '' is still set in the 1970s , but the 10-episode cartoon series is more like `` Shaft '' than a sendup of blaxpoitation , said Michael Jai White , who supplies Black Dynamite 's voice and serves as a producer . As in the film , the polyester pants suit-garbed Black Dynamite is a former CIA agent , a lover and a kung fu fighter . He has returned to the 'hood to combat evil and protect the children in the Whorephanage , who are looked after by the working girls and their boss , sexy no-nonsense Honey Bee ( Kym Whitley ) . `` The characters have to be a little bigger than life , but it 's a fun challenge , and the essence of the characters is still there , '' said Carl Jones , former executive producer of `` The Boondocks '' on Adult Swim , who serves as the director and an executive producer for `` Black Dynamite . '' `` Obviously , with a cartoon , you can do more things than you can do in live action , '' Jones said . `` It opens a lot more doors for us to explore different characters and genres . '' In one episode , Black Dynamite is hired to make sure comedian Richard Pryor shows up for a scheduled performance . In the story , Pryor is distraught because audiences automatically laugh at him , making it hard to offer serious social commentary . `` I wanted to take another perspective on Richard as a human being , '' Jones said . `` Richard never wanted to be funny . He had something to say . He was a storyteller . He was a teacher to me . '' In another episode , a parody of `` King Kong , '' Black Dynamite goes after an albino ape that scaled the iconic Watts Towers in Los Angeles . White said he is n't concerned that , despite its late-night time period , the show could irritate those who think its frequent use of bleeped profanity and the prominence of prostitutes perpetuate unwelcome stereotypes of African-Americans . `` I do n't mind that at all , '' White said . `` This is a commentary on the time period . It is the truth that , at this time in the '70s , these were our heroes . '' Added Jones , `` The main thing I focused on is being honest . This is a time when pimps , hos and hustlers existed , and they thrived within their communities . And Black Dynamite is trying to stop the negative things connected with that . '' Yes , Jones said , there is a whorehouse in the show , `` but you never see them whoring . I made it a point not to show that . You 'll never see Black Dynamite pimping either , because that 's not what it 's about . This was just a way to give a different world a texture that actually existed in that era . '' Despite its short theatrical run , `` Black Dynamite '' the film drew a loyal following , and sales of the movie on DVD in 2010 were brisk . `` I think it 's going to be off the chain with crazy fans , '' predicted Whitley . `` I did not know 'Black Dynamite ' was so popular . You go on the Internet . You go down to Comic-Con , and they fill the room . These are devoted fans . '' Byron Minns , the voice of Bullhorn , Black Dynamite 's cunning sidekick , agreed . `` When I go to South Central ( in Los Angeles ) or New York , people say , 'Man , we wish we would have known this was in the theaters at the time . ' It just did n't work out that way . '' Jones thinks young viewers will tune in for a fresh viewpoint , and older viewers will watch with a sense of nostalgia . `` To me , it plays on so many different levels and on so many different platforms , '' he said . `` There are so many different ingredients that make it powerful for just about everybody . '' `` Black Dynamite '' premieres at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT July 15 on the Cartoon Network , which is owned by CNN 's parent company .
`` Black Dynamite '' film lampooned black exploitation films . The movie has been made into an animated series on Cartoon 's Network Adult Swim . Comment: