Hatching Pete
Hatching Pete is a 2009 American teen comedy television film produced by Disney Channel as an Original Movie.[1] Directed by Stuart Gillard and written by Paul W. Cooper, it stars Jason Dolley and Mitchel Musso.[2] The film premiered on Disney Channel in the United States on April 24, 2009.[3] With a runtime of 90 minutes, Hatching Pete blends humor and coming-of-age elements, emphasizing themes of identity and self-confidence.[4]Development
Concept and Writing
Hatching Pete originated as an original screenplay for a Disney Channel Original Movie, conceived as a lighthearted teen comedy centered on themes of personal identity and social popularity facilitated by the anonymity of a school mascot disguise. The story draws inspiration from common high school experiences, where introverted students navigate the challenges of fitting in and gaining recognition among peers.[5] The screenplay was penned by Paul W. Cooper, a veteran television writer with over 70 credits, who emphasized the contrast between shyness 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.[6][7] Development progressed as a Disney Channel 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 family-friendly tone suitable for broadcast.Casting
The lead role of Pete Ivey was given to Jason Dolley, selected for his prior experience portraying introverted teen characters in Disney Channel Original Movies such as Read It and Weep (2006), where he played a shy high school student, and Minutemen (2008).[8] Mitchel Musso 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).[2] Supporting roles were filled with emerging Disney talent, including Tiffany Thornton as the cheerleader Jamie Wynn, drawing from her bubbly, confident persona developed in Sonny with a Chance (2009–2011), and Josie Loren as Angela Morrissey, aligning with her youthful, athletic screen presence in early projects.[2] Casting occurred in 2008 ahead of principal photography, with a focus on young actors already affiliated with Disney Channel to facilitate cross-promotion across the network's programming. Minor roles, such as Brian Stepanek as Coach Mackey, were assigned to experienced performers to support ensemble dynamics and chemistry among the teen leads.[2]Production
Filming
Principal photography for Hatching Pete was directed by Stuart Gillard, who also served as co-producer alongside executive producer Sheri Singer and line producer Randy Sutter.[9] The production was handled by Just Singer Entertainment and Salty Pictures.[10] Filming took place primarily in the Salt Lake City area of Utah, beginning in late February 2008.[11] 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.[12][13] Additional filming occurred around Salt Lake City and at Juan Diego Catholic High School.[14] The production schedule spanned several weeks in early 2008, with emphasis on sequences involving the school's mascot activities and the basketball game climax.[11] To accommodate the action-oriented mascot scenes, costume designer Carolyn Leone created six specialized chicken suits, including versions for lead actors, stunt performers, and a professional mascot handler.[15] 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.[9] The film wrapped post-production in time for its premiere in April 2009.[1]Music
The original score for Hatching Pete was composed by Nathan Wang, who crafted upbeat tracks to accompany the comedic mascot scenes and romantic cues to underscore emotional developments in the story.[9] A featured original song, "Let It Go", was written specifically for the film by Vincent Alfieri, Sarai Howard, Julian Davis, Ali Dee, and Alana Da Fonseca and performed by leads Mitchel Musso and Tiffany Thornton; it plays during a key emotional moment.[16][17] No full commercial soundtrack album was released for the movie, with the music primarily designed to enhance its teen comedy vibe without a pop-heavy emphasis; "Let It Go" was instead included on the 2009 compilation album Disney Channel Playlist. The film's sound design integrates crowd cheers and mascot 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 school student at Brewster High School, where he spends most of his time with his best friend, Cleatus Poole, an outgoing performer who serves as the school's mascot, a giant chicken.[18] When Cleatus develops a severe allergic reaction to the costume during a pep rally, he begs Pete to secretly take over the role to uphold his family tradition of mascots and avoid disappointing the school, leading Pete to become the anonymous "Hatching Pete."[3][2] As Hatching Pete, the typically reserved Pete discovers a hidden talent for entertaining crowds with energetic dances and antics, unexpectedly revitalizing school spirit and drawing massive attendance to the struggling basketball games, which helps turn around the team's performance.[4] This newfound popularity allows Pete to interact more freely, including developing a romantic interest in cheerleader Angela Morrissey while collaborating with her on a parade float project, shifting his initial crush from Cleatus's sister Cammie to Angela.[19] 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.[18] Throughout the rising action, Pete's mascot persona navigates rivalries, including subtle conflicts with Jamie over school event dynamics, while subtly aiding the basketball 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.[2] The narrative builds to a climax during the championship basketball game, where Cleatus's attempt to resume the mascot duties fails dramatically, forcing Pete to reveal his identity to the crowd.[19] 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 kiss and strengthened bonds with Cleatus, who relinquishes the mascot role permanently.[18][4]Cast
The principal cast of Hatching Pete includes:| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Dolley | Pete Ivey | Shy high school student who becomes the secret mascot.[9] |
| Mitchel Musso | Cleatus Poole | Outgoing best friend and original mascot, allergic to the suit.[9] |
| Tiffany Thornton | Jamie Wynn | Head cheerleader, Cleatus's crush.[9] |
| Josie Loren | Angela Morrissey | Kind cheerleader who becomes Pete's love interest.[9] |
| Brian Stepanek | Coach Mackey | School basketball coach motivating the team.[9] |
| Amy Farrington | Doris Ivey | Pete's supportive mother.[9] |
| Crawford Wilson | Dil Jensen | Antagonistic student.[9] |