“This Just In…”

For all those fans who follow the Griffin family exploits in Quahog, there is a new reason to get excited.

The wonderful folks at Fox and “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane are preparing a direct-to-DVD movie based on the adventures of his cartoon family for a Sept. 27 release, according to Reuters and Hollywood Reporter.

The 83-minute, unrated “Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story” is based on the animated series that MacFarlane created for Fox Television in the late 1990s. The series went on the air in early 1999 and was canceled in 2003, only to be resurrected last month after an overwhelming demand for the show on DVD, reported Reuters.

The first DVD set sold more than 2.5 million units, the second-highest sales tally of any TV-DVD release behind the first season of “Chappelle’s Show,” reported Reuters.

Reuters says that this film will be MacFarlane’s first full-length feature, and the first direct-to-video ever made off a television franchise.

“Fox had such a great amount of success with the previous DVD releases that I think they felt there was a built-in, surefire market for a ‘Family Guy’ DVD,” he told Reuters. “It’s also a lot easier to put out a DVD release than it is a theatrical film while you’re doing a television series.”

“Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story” tells the story of Stewie, the weapon-toting baby genius, having a near-death experience that prompts him to change his ways, says Reuters. Instead of seeking to dominate the world, he sets out on a road trip to find his real father.

Guest vocal talent includes Drew Barrymore and Ron Livingston, as well as three cast members of “Beverly Hills, 90210″ — Jason Priestley, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling — “in a special gag,” MacFarlane told Reuters.

Reuters also reports that the DVD will include several special features, including deleted scenes, still galleries, animatics and a commentary from MacFarlane.






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