It’s the week of Annecy, and that means we’re about to be drowned in an avalanche of big animation news and announcements. First up is Warner Bros, who held their panel this morning and revealed their entire planned theatrical animation slate for the next few years.
It looks like the Powerpuff Girls could be heading back to theaters…maybe. The biggest announcement of the panel is not technically part of the slate yet; it’s in development and hasn’t been greenlit for production, but WB confirmed it exists. They didn’t say much else, like what kind of animation style it would have, how it would be different from the 2002 feature film, or who is involved with it. Those questions might not actually have answers yet.
As for the promised return of the PPG to television under the shepherding of their original creator, Craig McCracken…still nothing. That show was announced in 2022 among a slew of 2010s CN revivals and by now, nearly all of them have debuted…but this one hasn’t even shown a screenshot of itself. As far as we know it is not cancelled. No idea what’s going on there, or if the movie is connected to it.
Famed cartoon creator Vivienne Medrano, known to her friends as VivziePop, is introducing her first animated creation that doesn’t take place in hell. It’s called PreHistoria, and it’s a “fossil fantasy animated musical” about dinosaurs with magical abilities.
“Since I began my animation journey, my biggest dream was to be part of a feature film,” says Medrano. “Now to be creating an original story that I have been holding for years with Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, a studio whose characters and stories have been a huge part of my life, is truly a dream come true. I’m SO excited to share this fossil fantasy world with everyone!”
Bill Damaschke, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s president and chief creative officer, told the Annecy audience his aim is for WBPA to be “a studio driven by artists, and with no singular house style,” and he proved it with a sizzle reel of in-development projects, one with looks as wild as an animation-puppetry combo style (Dynamic Duo, set in the Dc Gunnverse). Seven feature films and a theatrical short (Daffy Season) are scheduled to be released between 2026 and 2028, and they’re listed below.
Granted, this is all being said under the assumption nothing weird happens in the business side of things, and there’s a dark cloud approaching over the Warner Bros lot that’s shaped like the Paramount mountain. The storm is still not 100% guaranteed, but if it hits, the new manchild in charge will probably fire about a million people and axe half of the things you read about below. As enthused as I am about the possibility of VivziePop making a movie, I’m skeptical she’ll actually get to complete it.
The Cat in the Hat. WBPA’s debut theatrical feature, in which the Cat, via his signature mischief, magic and mayhem, will transport audiences on a fantastical journey through a world they’ve never seen before. Written and directed by Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, based on the classic book by Dr. Seuss, and produced by Daniela Mazzucato.
Daffy Season. An original Looney Tunes theatrical short that celebrated its world premiere at Annecy. Directed by Todd Wilderman and Hamish Grieve and produced by Susan Slagle Rogers, with production design by Rachel Daniel-Gallo inspired by the iconic work of Maurice Noble.
Bad Fairies. A mischievous, big-hearted comedy musical that flips the fairy tale, developed with Locksmith Animation. Directed by Megan Nicole Dong, with co-director Olivier Staphylas and produced by Carolyn Soper.
The Lunar Chronicles. A reinvention of the fairy tale genre with a new kind of heroine, a wholly original visual style, and robots audiences will instantly love, also developed with Locksmith Animation. Directed by Noëlle Raffaele and produced by Christina Steinberg.
Margie Claus. A new holiday film from the imaginations of Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone and Damon Jones.
On, the Places You’ll Go. A sweeping musical adventure that expands on the beloved book by Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and is inspired by his personal artwork, featuring a voice cast that includes Ariana Grande as Whisper and Josh Gad as Bixby.
Dynamic Duo. Produced in partnership with DC Studios and 6th & Idaho, reimagining story and form through a groundbreaking fusion of puppetry, practical artistry, and cutting-edge technology with Swaybox Studios.
Hello Kitty. Currently in production, in partnership with Sanrio and New Line Cinema.
New at Annecy: The studio confirmed a growing development slate that includes Tom & Jerry, ThunderCats and Meerkats, reflecting the studio’s strategy of pairing original stories with bold new takes on iconic IP from across Warner Bros. Discovery.
