A new Tom & Jerry animated film is currently in development at Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.
According to Deadline, the film will serve as a major revival of the iconic Tom & Jerry franchise for a new generation. Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, and Michael Govier have been tapped to write the script, with Bill Damaschke overseeing the project as part of Warner Bros.’ animation division.
Tom and Jerry were created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at MGM. The studio produced 114 shorts, winning 7 Academy Awards, before closing its animation division. Later adaptations were made by Gene Deitch, Chuck Jones, and others. The most recent iteration was the 2021 hybrid film Tom & Jerry. The franchise has faced criticism over its slapstick violence.
The new film will be a fresh take on Tom and Jerry’s misadventures — seeking to modernize the beloved characters while staying true to their classic appeal.
Through their prolific Le Train Train banner, Jones and McCormick work as writers, directors, and producers, with credits including Celeste and Jesse Forever, Toy Story 4, and The Invitation, which is being directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for FilmNation, starring Amy Adams, Paul Rudd, and Tessa Thompson.
The Tom & Jerry film, released in 2021, was a mix of live-action and animation. Directed by Tim Story, it starred Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, and Rob Delaney. The animated characters, Tom and Jerry, interacted with real-life actors in a hotel. The story focuses on their rivalry as they cause chaos before a big wedding. The film combines classic cartoon humor with modern themes and live-action scenes.
Production for the new Tom and Jerry film will begin soon.
Source: Deadline
