Warner Bros. Confirms New ThunderCats Animated Film

Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has confirmed it is developing a new animated film based on the 1980s franchise "ThunderCats." The project was revealed in a sizzle reel presented at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this week. The studio has not yet provided details on the creative team, plot, or release timeline, though industry observers suggest a release would likely not occur before 2029.

The announcement has generated significant interest but also confusion among fans, as it comes while a separate, long-discussed live-action adaptation remains in development. Director Adam Wingard was announced in 2021 to helm that live-action film, which he described as a CGI-hybrid project intended to honor the spirit of the original cartoon. As recently as March 2024, Wingard reaffirmed the project was still active, with him and writer Simon Barrett working on the screenplay. Warner Bros. has not clarified the relationship between the newly announced animated film and Wingard's project, leaving it unclear whether they are connected, competing, or if one has superseded the other.

The original "ThunderCats" animated series, created by Tobin "Ted" Wolf, debuted in 1985 and...