The 1980s are back in fashion. Now that He-Man has returned for modern audiences in Masters of the Universe and with a live-action Voltron film in the works, Warner Bros. Animation is turning its attention to a new ThunderCats movie, marking the biggest news for fans since the announcement of a separate live-action project in 2021, set to be helmed by Godzilla vs. Kong‘s Adam Wingard.
No additional information, including a director, story details, or a release date, was shared during its reveal at this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival — instead of an official announcement, the title was teased in a sizzle reel — but don’t expect it anytime soon. The studio’s upcoming slate for late 2026 to 2028 is already set, so the film will likely debut only in 2029 or later.
Premiering in 1985, ThunderCats followed a group of cat-like alien beings living on Third Earth, comprising leader Lion-O, engineer Panthro, the agile, speedy Cheetara, sidekick Snarf, and more, who must establish a new home while battling undead sorcerer Mumm-Ra and his evil forces. It was often compared to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe due to their similar dark-fantasy settings, toy origins, and a muscle-bound protagonist, as well as repeated revival attempts in the decades since.
While Masters of the Universe was a nostalgic romp for fans who grew up with the franchise, it failed to deliver at the box office and will count as a loss for Amazon, which spent US$200 million on production. An animated ThunderCats feature also faces the same risks, and it all boils down to execution, especially given its complicated journey after the original series ended in 1989. A film adaptation was first announced in 2007, but was never greenlit, while Cartoon Network’s 2011 reboot was cancelled after just one season, to the disappointment of a passionate fanbase.
As for the live-action project, it was previously described as a CGI-hybrid take, with Wingard stating that his version would have stayed “as true to the source material as possible.” As of now, however, it’s unclear whether things are still moving forward.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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