Warner Bros. Pictures Animation‘s event on Tuesday drew together filmmakers, creatives and journalists as the team’s leaders laid out their vision.
WBPA president and chief creative officer Bill Damaschke hosted the open house at the Burbank studio lot, where Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group co-chair and CEO Pam Abdy joined him to deliver opening remarks. The event was timed to take place in the lead-up to the studio’s presentation at next month’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
During her speech, Abdy teased a number of the projects that are in active production, including The Cat in the Hat, with the Dr. Seuss adaptation featuring Bill Hader in the titular role and set to hit theaters in November. Abdy noted that this marks the animation studio’s first feature since its rebrand that began with Damaschke’s 2023 hiring. She explained that the film “sets the tone for what WBPA represents today: filmmaker-driven, visually ambitious and designed as a true theatrical event.”
Abdy also expressed excitement that the Annecy presentation will include the debut screening for Daffy Season. Directors Todd Wilderman and Hamish Grieve’s short centers on Daffy Duck learning that Elmer Fudd is newly obsessed with soccer, which is appropriately timed ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
“We’re also thrilled to be unveiling at Annecy Daffy Season, a Looney Tunes theatrical short that reestablishes our commitment to bring Looney Tunes back to the big screen,” Abdy told the crowd.
Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig and other Looney Tunes favorites were last seen on the big screen with 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy, which starred LeBron James and collected $163 million at the global box office. Warner Bros.’ John Cena-led Looney Tunes film, Coyote vs. Acme, had been scheduled to hit theaters in 2023, but after the movie was completed, its release was scrapped. Ketchup Entertainment ultimately acquired the Wile E. Coyote-focused project and will release it this summer.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported earlier this year that an animated feature about Looney Tunes staple Speedy Gonzales is in the works from director Jorge R. Gutiérrez.
Abdy went on to express her excitement for such forthcoming original animated features as the musical Bad Fairies, starring Cynthia Erivo and set for release next year. Also on the horizon are the Melissa McCarthy-led Margie Claus and the adaptation of author Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles. Dynamic Duo, Tom and Jerry, Meerkat Manor, Hello Kitty and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! were among the other titles teased at the event.
In his own remarks, Damaschke praised Abdy and fellow Warner Bros. film co-chief Mike De Luca for their commitment to his plan. In describing the slate that will see seven features hit the big screen in three years, Damaschke said, “Different looks, different styles, different tones — connected with what I hope will be heart, hope, humor and a scale that earns the big screen and remaining an artists-first community.”
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