By India McCarty
It looks like Warner Bros. Animation is gearing up for a busy few years — the studio just announced plans for FLINTSTONES, LOONEY TUNES and TOM AND JERRY movies.
President Bill Damaschke announced a “new commitment to theatrical animation” during the studios’ CinemaCon presentation, per Animation Magazine, revealing that work has begun on animated movies for THE FLINTSTONES, LOONEY TUNES and TOM AND JERRY. All three are set to have theatrical releases.
Not much is known about the planned LOONEY TUNES and TOM AND JERRY movies, but some details about THE FLINTSTONES project have been revealed.
MEET THE FLINTSTONES has been in development for some years, with people involved in the project teasing it as early as 2023. It was pitched as an origin story for the iconic cartoon characters, but it’s unknown if the plot has changed.
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic are set to helm the project.
News of these new projects is surprising, given the recent upheaval surrounding Warner Bros.’ handling of LOONEY TUNES projects like COYOTE VS. ACME.
COYOTE VS. ACME was completely finished when Warner Bros. Discovery announced it would be shelving the project, with many theorizing that the studio did so to use it as a tax write-off.
However, audiences will soon be able to see the movie. Ketchup Entertainment recently announced that a deal had been finalized, and it now owns the worldwide rights to COYOTE VS. ACME.
Gareth West, CEO of Ketchup Entertainment, said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to have made a deal with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring this film to audiences worldwide. COYOTE VS. ACME is a perfect blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling, capturing the essence of the beloved LOONEY TUNES characters while introducing them to a new generation. We believe it will resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
In an Instagram post celebrating the purchase, Ketchup Entertainment announced COYOTE VS. ACME will hit theaters in 2026.
WBD also came under fire after the removal of LOONEY TUNES shorts from the Max app and the announcement of plans to tear down Building 131, the historic building that previously housed LOONEY TUNES content.
The plans to demolish the building have been in place for some time, and, as Deadline pointed out, Building 131 isn’t actually the original home of Warner Bros. and LOONEY TUNES animation. That building, nicknamed “Termite Terrace,” was demolished in the ‘40s.
While many have accused Warner Bros. of disrespecting some of the iconic characters that helped build the studio, these plans for new animated movies show WBD is committed to revitalizing classic animated franchises.
Damaschke, who was made president of the Warner Bros. Animation division almost two years ago, expressed that commitment in a statement upon his hiring.
“To be part of a Studio with such a rich animation legacy is both a once-in-a-lifetime honor and a huge thrill for me as a Warner Bros. fan,” Damaschke said. “Putting artists front and center gives us a unique opportunity to craft films for worldwide commercial and artistic success, with a focus on relatable characters and stories that are funny, emotionally resonant, culturally relevant and grounded in universal human themes.”
He continued, “I couldn’t be more grateful for this opportunity, and am thrilled to join…the brilliant team at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation on this bold new adventure.”
It looks like the recent public outcry about the perceived mishandling of Warner Bros.’ content has led to a newfound respect for the classic animated characters we all know and love.
Read Next: HBO Max Removes 15 Seasons of Classic LOONEY TUNES Cartoons
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