It looks like Warner Bros. is taking serious steps with its Warner Animation Group (WAG). According to a report by Variety, the studio has brought in top-tier talents Tim Story and Chris Columbus to guide Tom and Jerry and Scooby-Doo to the big screen. Oh, and it also has plans for Wile E. Coyote and The Jetsons.
First up, Warner Bros. has reportedly tapped Tim Story (Fantastic Four, and 2019’s Shaft reboot) to direct a live-action/animated hybrid Tom and Jerry film. The popular cat and mouse feature will be the first live-action hybrid to shoot in 2019 (the second is Space Jam), and will utilize computer animation for the titular duo in a live action setting, ala 2004’s Garfield. Oh, and unlike the bland 1992 feature Tom and Jerry: The Movie, the animals will stay silent and rely on physical comedy to draw laughs.
Story had just wrapped up filming Shaft with Samuel L. Jackson when the studio told him about their plans with the property. The director immediately jumped at the opportunity and quickly lined Tom and Jerry up as his next feature.
Next up, Warner Bros. also plans to bring Scooby-Doo back to the big screen as an animated film and has brought in Chris Columbus to serve as creative director. The Harry Potter director’s interest in the popular animated series about those “blasted, meddling kids and their dog” peaked while he was working on the Gremlins reboot, which he is producing. Tony Cervone will direct the film. Kelly Fremon Craig is writing the screenplay from a draft by Jack Donaldson and Derek Elliott. Matt Lieberman penned first draft.
The report also reveals plans for a Wile E. Coyote vs. ACME hybrid feature, with Chris McKay from the LEGO universe helping shepherd development.
WAG is also gearing up on its Jetsons movie with Matt Lieberman and Sausage Party director Conrad Vernon, and is also in deep development on Flintstones and Wacky Races features.
This news falls in line with recent reports that the studio had brought in Black Panther and Creed director Ryan Coogler to help guide the sequel to Space Jam with LeBron James set to star. (Coogler will produce the film with Terence Nance directing.)
What do you think? Are you ready for some Warner Bros. animation on the big screen? Sound off below!
