Press Release
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has begun production on “ThunderCats,” an all-new animated series for Cartoon Network, based upon the iconic 1980s action classic. “ThunderCats” is the newest series from WBA, joining “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” which was recently renewed for a third season, and the following forthcoming programs: “The Looney Tunes Show,” “MAD,” “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” and “Young Justice.” The announcement was made today by Sam Register, Executive Vice President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Animation.
“In addition to being Warner Bros. Animation’s first anime series, ‘ThunderCats’ marks our most ambitious foray yet into fantasy,” said Register. “The realism and dynamic visual style we’ve achieved are sure to thrill viewers, and the cool weapons, vehicles and technology should help the show appeal to a diverse audience.”
The 21st century reimagining of the series marks a creative collaboration between WBA and Studio4°C, one of the most vibrant animation studios in Japan, with credits including “The Animatrix,” “Gotham Knights” and “Halo Legends.” WBA is working closely with Studio4°C, utilizing the latter’s expertise to give the “ThunderCats” characters a new cutting-edge look while remaining true to the compelling storylines and mythology of the original series.
“We at Studio4°C are excited to be in this creative partnership with Warner Bros. Animation to bring ‘ThunderCats’ to life,” said Eiko Tanaka, President and CEO, Studio4°C. “This collaboration combines the strengths of our two companies – high production values and great storytelling – toward reintroducing this classic fan-favorite to a new audience.”
Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C’s use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, “ThunderCats” characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.
The new “ThunderCats” will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O’s ascension to the throne – and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost – takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.
“ThunderCats” is executive produced by Sam Register (“Teen Titans,” “Ben 10,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”). Michael Jelenic (“Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “Wonder Woman”) and Ethan Spaulding (“Avatar: The Last Airbender”) are the producers.
About Warner Bros. Animation
Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) has been producing award-winning original animation since 1930, when it released its first cartoon, Sinkin’ in the Bathtub. Since then, WBA’s characters have set the standard for innovative, quality animation. Producing for network and cable television, online, home entertainment and feature films both domestically and internationally, WBA is highly respected for its creative and technical excellence, as well as maintaining the studio’s rich cartoon heritage. WBA also oversees the creative use of, and production of animated programming based on, classic animated characters from the Hanna-Barbera and DC Comics libraries. WBA is one of the most honored animation studios in history, garnering a grand total of six Academy Awards®, 36 Emmy® Awards, the George Foster Peabody Award, an Environmental Media Award, a Parents’ Choice Award, a Humanitas Award, five Prism Awards and 20 Annie Awards.
About Studio4°C
Studio4°C is Japan’s leading animation studio. Led by producer Eiko Tanaka, Studio4°C is renowned for its ultra-energetic, cutting-edge feature films, progressive music videos, radical short films and numerous outstanding television commercials, promotional materials, video/computer games and TV series. Studio4°C was an early adopter of digital technology and is now a brand name with global recognition for its progressive hybrid visuals and funky crossover creations. In 2003, through a joint production with Warner Bros. Studios, Studio4°C created the revolutionary “The Animatrix.” Studio4°C’s crazily innovative feature film “Tekkonkinkreet” was a 2007 Oscar® nominee in the Animated Feature Film category. Taking its name from the fact that water is at its densest at four degrees Celsius, Studio4°C represents the creative manifesto to “create only works that are dense with substance and extreme quality.”
via Warner Bros.
9 Comments
I hope they don’t screw this up………..
To be fair the series, (for all the good things about it mind you) had plenty of hangups that didn’t really make me go WOWIE as a kid. As long as they don’t narm it to heaven and back this could be a good thing all around.
Yeah, have to say the old series doesn’t really hold up to adult viewing. I can’t imagine the target audience for this “re-imagining” will be older than about 15…at least until it hits the secondary market. Even then, though, you’re probably talking about a minor sub-set of a sub-set that would shell out real cash.
Maybe this time Panthro will find that blasted samophlange…..
I think that they got Batman: Brave and the Bold right, so I’ll hope that they can find the magic for Thundercats. That was my favorite show back in the day and I really want to see something great come from it. Even if they do it in a slightly Naruto kind of way, mixing the real story with a bit of humor but not so much cheesy *snarf* humor that it makes me want to punch my own eardrums out. The characters were pretty cool, Panthro should be voiced by Ving Rhames. I’d also love to see a great series that was cut too short be revived, I’m talking about The Pirates of Dark Water. It had a unique story, some unsightly characters that could have been drawn better, the obligatory irritating sidekick animal Needler. All in all, I’m excited about this news. What’s the Young Justice series about? And what’s the angle on the Scooby series they’re launching, what age range are they aiming for?
Young Justice (Leaguers) would be a more illuminating, yet dumber title. ;)
My thoughts on it here. A summary: Really, it’s hard to do worse than the original; while it had charm, it also wasn’t well-executed, and we have people running this who can do a decent job.
This is awesome news! I loved Thundercats growing up and would love to see this done right. Seeing it’s the same people behind Batman Brave and the Bold gives me hope for a solid reincarnation.
I also am curious about the new Scooby Doo. I have to be brutally honest, I don’t think there has been any worthwhile Scooby Doo since the original run.
I don’t know where Scooby Doo jumped the shark for you, I liked the 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo. I think I’m one of the few people who actually liked Scrappy Doo. I also thought that A Pup Named Scooby Doo was pretty good. I was pretty young when that one came on and I think it had some funny bits, Freddy always blaming Red Herring for everything that went on, and it actually seemed to aim toward that age range and stay there. Some of the older Scooby episodes are a little dark and foreboding, I love those ones, but I’m not exactly sure who they were aimed at.