The fastest mouse in Mexico is getting his own movie, as Warner Bros. has greenlit a Speedy Gonzales film from director Jorge R. Gutiérrez.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Gutiérrez, who co-created the Nickelodeon series El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, the Netflix limited series Maya and the Three, and directed 2014’s The Book of Life, will direct the animated feature centred on the classic Looney Tunes character, although the film’s writers and plot details have not been announced.
Speedy Gonzales first debuted in the 1950s, with his 1955 Merrie Melodies short winning an Oscar for best animated short film. Known for wits as quick as his running speed, alongside his endless charm, the speedy mouse grew to become a Looney Tunes staple, and last appeared on-screen alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan in 2021’s live-action/animated sports comedy film Space Jam, where he was voiced by comedian Gabriel Iglesias.
“Jorge is a singular storyteller whose voice, artistry and cultural perspective make every project he touches feel both timeless and completely new,” said Warner Bros. Pictures Animation president Bill Damaschke in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited to have him reimagining Speedy Gonzales, one of our most beloved Looney Tunes characters, for today’s global audience.”
This isn’t the first time the studio has attempted to bring Speedy Gonzales to the big screen, as news of a feature film take on the character previously arose in 2016, with Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez set to voice the character. Plans fell apart, however, with the project reportedly scrapped due to political sensitivities.
Now, Speedy Gonzales is getting a new chance at the spotlight, so here’s hoping that Warner Bros. will allow a faithful representation of the classic character, and not censor him too much to cater to the modern audience.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
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