Ben 10: Omniverse/Early Development

Original Series

Alien Force

Ultimate Alien

Omniverse

Reboot

General	Episodes	Theme Song	Development	Continuity

Derrick J. Wyatt creating concept art of Azmuth for Ben 10: Omniverse

Early Development applies to every decision, character, and alien that were made during the early stages of production of Ben 10: Omniverse.

History

The pre-production of Ben 10: Omniverse dates back to September 2010, when the crew was planning the ending of Ben 10: Ultimate Alien. By December 15, 2010, Dwayne McDuffie had written several pages for the series. Dwayne, along with Glen Murakami, came up with the story of the first arc. They also conceptualized Feedback, who would have been the reason for Ben removing the Omnitrix. However, Cartoon Network was not informed of this. Though he is absent in the proposal and script written by Dwayne, Derrick believed that Mr. Baumann's increased role in the series was their idea.

Higher-ups at Cartoon Network requested several changes coming out of Ultimate Alien, such as Ben's lighter attitude and the implementation of both 11-year-old and 16-year-old Ben, though without time travel. Dwayne conceptualized the idea of flashing back and forth between the two eras after watching Damages, which uses a similar non-linear storytelling structure.

By February 7, 2011, Dwayne had finished the script outline for Parts 1 and 2 of Tangled Web, which would eventually go on to become The More Things Change: Part 1 and The More Things Change: Part 2.

During this time, Thomas N. Perkins IV was hired to design transformations for the Nemetrix. However, none of the designs were made with corresponding prey in mind.

At some point, the writers for the first five episodes of the series were determined. However, much like other decisions made at this point in development, not all of these decisions stuck. At the time, no episode had a finalized title. Below is a table comparing the episodes' planned and final writers.

Final Episode	Production Code	Original Writer	Final Writer(s)
The More Things Change: Part 1	1010-001	Dwayne McDuffie	Charlotte McDuffie Dwayne McDuffie
The More Things Change: Part 2	1010-002	Dwayne McDuffie	Matt Wayne Dwayne McDuffie
A Jolt From the Past	1010-003	Matt Wayne	Eugene Son
So Long, and Thanks for All the Smoothies	1010-004	David McDermott	David McDermott
It Was Them	1010-005	Stan Berkowitz	Len Uhley

Prior to his death, Dwayne came up with Bloxx. Sometime afterwards, Glen left the crew to work on Beware the Batman. With both Dwayne and Glen no longer helming the series, the showrunner positions were given to Matt Youngberg, Matt Wayne and Charlotte McDuffie. Additionally, the designs Thomas Perkins had created were shelved.

It was likely this time that Gravattack was conceived. Additionally, at an unknown point in time, it was determined that Enoch was dead.

At some point, Derrick J. Wyatt was brought onto the show as the art director and as the fourth showrunner. Prior to working on the show, he and Matt Youngberg discussed what they would do with the property. In order to work on the show, Derrick had to leave the production of Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated early. Like his and Matt Youngberg's previous collaboration, Transformers: Animated, the show's production was set up so that Derrick was involved in story meetings.

During production, Derrick drew up several depictions of the Transformers: Animated character Sari Sumdac as alien transformations, one of which would go on to become the incidental Fergi.

Bandai continued to serve as the manufacturer of the franchise's merchandise. They worked with Derrick, where he made notes on the toys to make them more on-model, as well as designed some toy-exclusive designs.

The crew was mandated by Cartoon Network to clean up the "pointless and convoluted continuity" from the prior three series, as it was believed to have turned viewers off from Ben 10. Among what was "removed" was Primus, which was to have been destroyed on-screen according to Dwayne's proposal.

Another mandate was to change the look and tone as much as they could in the short time they had. After finding out about Dwayne and Glen's initial plans for Ben removing the Omnitrix, Cartoon Network vetoed the idea, a move which both Derrick and Matt Youngberg had no issue with.

At some point in time, a master brief for the series was written by Charlotte McDuffie. While the information in it is largely original, the terms Opticoid and Sightra were erroneously taken from this wiki.

During its development, the show's logo changed several times.

According to Matt Wayne, the real shape of the show came in April or May 2011.

Marketing

Promotion for the series focused on 16-year-old Ben, with the exception of promotion done in Latin America, which focused on 11-year-old Ben. It was to be marketed as a brand-new show, rather than a continuation of a previous series. As such, phrases such as "Ben 10 is back" or "Ben 10 returns" were discouraged.

Consumer hooks for the series were highlighted as being Ben's transformations, and the humorous elements of the show, such as Rook's misunderstandings or the Plumber Headquarters being accessed through a toilet.

Conceptualizations

Rook Blonko

In Dwayne's proposal for Omniverse, Rook was not yet conceived, with two characters known as Sankshun and Artie (who is only present in the outline) filling in his roles as hypercompetent and yet-by-the-books sidekicks to Ben respectively.

Sankshun is hinted at as being super-powered and untrustworthy, possibly siding with Ben's new enemies. He wields the Omnitool, a precursor to the Proto-Tool. The Omnitool was planned to be the same weapon used by Kevin in The Ultimate Enemy: Part 1 and The Ultimate Enemy: Part 2.

Artie (full name being "Artificial Intelligence Engine") is a sapient robot Plumber, who is described as literal-minded.

According to Derrick, Rook's design was tricky, as he needed to work well with Ben, while also looking distinct from him. Chap Yaep created various designs for Rook, with many rejects later serving as residents of Undertown.

Malware

Malware goes unmentioned in Dwayne's proposal for Omniverse, instead only being mentioned in the script outlines. He serves the same role as he does in the final episode, though his defeat is within the prologue and transitions into Gwen reminiscing about their time having defeated him.

Khyber

In Dwayne's original proposals and outlines, Khyber was known as Annihilus Stalk. Instead of using an animal to use the Nemetrix (at the time referred to as the Predatrix), he would have wielded the device, utilizing a spider-like transformation known as Araynieye.

Early concept art of Khyber by Derrick was inspired by the characters Lord Chumley and Gemini.

Feedback

Feedback's design was created by Original Series art director Dave Johnson at the request of Derrick, so he would look more like an alien from that instalment of the show. His powers came before his design.

Bloxx

Bloxx was conceived by Dwayne and designed by Steven Choi. Though he was created prior to Derrick joining production, he did make notes on his design and altered his head. His working name was "Blox".

Shocksquatch

Shocksquatch was redesigned by Derrick, and received a drastic overhaul from his appearance in Ben 10-Generator Rex: Heroes United.

Gravattack

Gravattack was likely created by Charlotte. He underwent several small changes before being finalized. Namely, his working name was "Graviton", though this name was rejected by the legal team as there was a Marvel character of the same name. Additionally, his protruding rocks were more jagged. His powers were created before his design and name were conceived, and Derrick came up with his planetoid form.

Crashhopper

Crashhopper was not conceived by Derrick, but he did work on his final design along with Chap Yaep. His design originally had a white-and-green uniform, but this was changed out for a black-and-green color scheme. However, this original outfit persisted into promotional material and the first Omniverse theme song.

Crashhopper as seen in the theme song

Kickin' Hawk

Kickin' Hawk was designed by Derrick and conceived after the creation of Liam. Derrick possibly came up with him, but could not remember for sure. Matt Wayne came up with his final name, with working names being Ka-Chickin, Chi-Kickin, Ch'Kickin, and KiChicken.

Ball Weevil

Ball Weevil was conceived by Derrick long before he worked on Omniverse, including his powers. His design was inspired by the Pokémon franchise, whereas his powers were based on the Katamaris' from Katamari Damacy.

Matt Wayne came up with his name, after "Turd Burglar" and "Collectiball" were rejected, the latter for legal reasons.

Toepick

It was Derrick's idea to implement Toepick into the show following his name drop in Ken 10. His design was inspired by an artpiece from the Autry Museum. Derrick also designed the face seen exclusively on his toy.

Master Brief