Warner Bros. wants Pictures Animation lets the industry know it’s back. For real this time.
After several years, Warner Bros. Known better among animators for what it hasn’t released than for what it has produced, WBPA president and creative director Bill Damaszke took the stage at Annecy to say the studio was committed to making big swings in animation.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for animation at Warner Bros.,” Damaszke said, describing WBPA as an “artists-first studio” that wanted to produce original theatrical films that “feel completely unique, bound not by one style but by heart, hope and humor.”
Damaschke is rolled out across a slate of seven features planned from this year through 2028, starting with the much-delayed release The cat in the hatdirected by Alessandro Carloni and Erika Rivinoja and starring Bill Hader, is scheduled for release in November, and includes upcoming theatrical releases Bad fairies and Lunar recordsBoth were developed with UK company Locksmith Animation.
He unveiled a new logo that evokes the studio’s 80-year-old tradition, and premiered a new Looney Tunes short. Warm season. All in front of an audience of animators, producers and festival-goers who have spent recent years watching Warner Bros.’ animation production line. They have become a case study in corporate caution rather than a creative destination.
Looney Tunes fans remember how, in 2023, Warner Bros. delayed the final cut Coyote vs. Peakpreferring to write off the taxes over releasing the eagerly anticipated live-action feature starring Will Forte. WB eventually reversed course, allowing the filmmakers to market the project to other distributors. But the move gave some creatives pause. It follows similar moves made by WB’s David Zaslav for the animated feature Scoop Holiday Hunt!a planned HBO Max release, and The day the Earth explodedthe first fully animated version of Looney Tunes.
WB’s loss ended up becoming Ketchup Entertainment’s gain. Ketchup has been acquired by independent distributor Ketchup The day the Earth explodedwas released earlier this year, grossing $9 million domestically and $15 million worldwide. In March, ketchup prices rose Coyote vs. Peak In a deal worth $50 million. The film opens on August 28.
Damaszky clearly wants to leave that era behind him. In Annecy, he cited the history of animation at WB, arguing that giving animators creative freedom, not focusing on internal style, was the key to the Looney Tunes’ Golden Age. He said the WBPA was looking to emulate that approach.
Since taking over as WBPA president three years ago, Damaszky has boosted the group’s full-time team from about 30 people to, by the studio’s calculations, more than 250 artists and filmmakers working in 13 countries. Through its creative partnerships, including with sister division DC Studios and third-party partners like Locksmith, WBPA can boast a “global creative community” of more than 1,200 animators, filmmakers and storytellers.
As a testament to the new studio’s commitment to theatrical animation, across all genres and styles, Damaschke has released the titles in its upcoming slate, including Maggie CloseVacation by Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone and Damon Jones; Musical adventure Oh, the places you’ll go! Adapted from the book by Dr. Seuss, featuring Ariana Grande and Josh Gad; Hello Kitty, produced in partnership with Sanrio and New Line Cinema; and Dynamic duoa fantasy adventure set in the Batman universe told from the point of view of a teenager and revolving around two would-be Robins – Dick Grayson and Jason Todd. The latest film, produced in partnership with DC Studios and 6th & Idaho, will feature puppets pioneered by New Orleans-based Swaybox Studios, Damasce said.
The studio also confirmed new projects are in development, including a reimagining of the game Tom and Jerry, Thundercats and Meerkatsand Prehistoric timesoriginal music from Hazbin Hotel Creator Vivian Medrano.
Damaszki put on an impressive display. But for many in the animation community, creators and fans alike, the real test will come when the WBPA slate actually hits theaters. Then we’ll see if the studio has really turned the page.
