With reboots all the rage right now, Warner Bros. is continuing the trend by making plans for some new versions of classic cartoons. The studio is first going the Disney route by developing a live-action/animated hybrid of Tom & Jerry, and are also planning on making an animated Scooby-Doo movie.
These classic shows have churned out direct-to-DVD movies and the like for years, but Warner Bros. is reportedly talking to some big names for what will be big, modern reboots of nostalgic classics.
Variety reports that Tim Story (Think Like A Man) is in negotiations to direct Tom & Jerry, while Chris Columbus (Harry Potter) is on board Scooby-Doo as a creative producer. Allison Abbate, who oversees the Warner Animation Group, is one of the people behind this push to reboot these classic Hanna-Barbera properties.
The aim is reportedly to shine as much of a spotlight on these titles as those under the DC Comics or Harry Potter banner in order to develop another steady money-making series. Obviously time will tell whether modern audiences gravitate towards these contemporary takes on classic shows. Nostalgia is a powerful weapon right now though, so Warner Bros. are probably making a smart bet.
Tom & Jerry is scheduled to shoot in 2019, and production is expected to shoot in the real world while incorporating the title characters as animated animals. Visual gags and physical comedy will reportedly still be the main source of jokes as they were in the show, so don’t expect some big names cast as the voices of the title characters.
Reportedly, if all goes well on Tom & Jerry, that will make things smoother for the Space Jam sequel, which is another live-action/animated hybrid that’s in development at Warner Bros. LeBron James is currently scheduled to star alongside the Looney Tunes characters in the follow up to the 1996 film, which will be directed by Terence Nance.
The Scooby-Doo movie is expected to be fully animated and should arrive in early 2020. Columbus has been interested in the film for a while, and will work with Tony Cervone who will direct from a script penned by Kelly Fremon Craig, adapted from Jack Donaldson and Derek Elliott‘s previous draft.
Also on the docket for reboots are The Jetsons, which has Matt Lieberman and Conrad Vernon (Sausage Party) attached, along with The Flintstones and Wacky Races. Basically, if you are a fan of classic cartoons, the next decade of Warner Bros. releases is going to be catnip for you.
#Peace.Love.Tom&Jerry
