Cruikshank’s YouTube character to hit silver screen

COLUMBUS -- After beginning his career on YouTube and making guest appearances on television, local teen Lucas Cruikshank is starring in his own feature film: “Fred: The Movie.”

The 16-year-old Cruikshank returned to his Columbus home last week after filming wrapped up in Los Angeles Dec. 20 following a two-month shoot.

The movie, expected for release in 2010, follows Fred Figglehorn, a fictional character created by Cruikshank in 2006, as he tries to track down his crush, Judy, played by British pop singer and actress Pixie Lott.

Cruikshank said the movie will feature the hyperactive, high-pitched, tantrum prone 6-year-old who will no longer be confined to his neighborhood. Set in the Midwest, the film will contain a few winks to his home state of Nebraska, and he hopes a premiere will be held in the state.

Digging a hole from his backyard to Judy’s, fantasizing about an invisibility suit, getting lost in the woods and becoming buried in sand are just a few of the adventures Fred will experience along his journey.

As well as being the lead, the Teen Choice Award winner also is listed as a producer of the movie, having been involved in the project from conception through filming.

“Fred: The Movie,” was written by David A. Goodman, an executive producer of “Family Guy,” with Brian Robbins (“Norbit,” “Varsity Blues”) as director and producer.

Cruikshank’s �” and Fred’s �” appeal, especially among tweens, has led to the Fred channel becoming one of the most successful channels on YouTube. The Fred channel has more than 1.5 million subscribers and received 72 million channel views and more than 414 million video views, which includes 4.3 million views of Fred’s “Christmas is Creepy” video posted earlier this month.

While Cruikshank has made guest appearances on popular kid shows, such as

“Hannah Montana” and “iCarly” and worked with stars such as Tim Robbins and Kevin Nealon, he said his first time on a movie set was overwhelming, but the presence of his older sister, Stephanie, 21, helped him settle down.

Stephanie, a cosmetologist at Loxx Salon, was on the set to work on the hair of actors and actresses in the movie, including the star.

Cruikshank described the experience as really fun, but exhausting. After being on set from 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. six days a week, 7.5 hours filming and three hours of schooling, he was looking forward to returning to his family home, spending time with his parents and seven siblings and taking a few days to unwind before pursuing further ventures.

“Fred” merchandise is currently sold at specialty retailers, and the potential for an animated series and comic book have been discussed, Cruikshank said, but he is leery of overexposing Fred and being type-cast as an actor.

Because of his popularity, other movie opportunities have been presented to Cruikshank, but have yet to pass muster with his parents, who are very involved in his career.

One script depicted the character smoking weed, which was immediately nixed by his mom, and Cruikshank said he has been approached by many energy drink companies to advertise on the Fred channel, but he declined due to his mother’s opposition.

Cruikshank said he hopes the success of “Fred: The Movie” will open more doors for his acting career, and his dream project would be to work with Jim Carrey, another actor known for his over-the-top, high energy performances.

While he enjoys comedy roles, he said he would like to try his hand at drama, but for the time being he is just taking advantage of the down time and being a normal teenager. He said he was “really glad to come back for Christmas.”

As for what the future holds, he said: “I am just taking it day by day.”