Warner Bros. to Revive ‘Tom and Jerry’ with New Animated Movie
Warner Bros. is set to breathe new life into the timeless rivalry of ‘Tom and Jerry’ with a brand-new animated movie, according to a Deadline exclusive. The studio has tapped the talented trio of Rashida Jones, Will McCormack, and Michael Govier to pen the script, promising a fresh take on the classic cat-and-mouse adventures.
A Classic Reimagined
‘Tom and Jerry,’ originally created by MGM in 1939, is a series of comedic animated shorts centered around the never-ending feud between a cat named Tom and a mouse named Jerry. The original series, written by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera and produced by Fred Quimby, debuted on February 10, 1940, with the episode “Puss Gets the Boot.” The hallmark of ‘Tom and Jerry’ is its slapstick humor, showcasing Tom’s elaborate schemes to catch Jerry, who cleverly exploits the flaws in Tom’s plans to escape and retaliate.
Previous Attempts
The ‘Tom and Jerry’ franchise saw a live-action/animated hybrid film released in 2021, directed by Tim Story and starring Chloë Grace Moretz and Colin Jost. However, this iteration failed to resonate with audiences.
With a new writing team at the helm, Warner Bros. is hoping to recapture the magic of the original series and deliver a ‘Tom and Jerry’ movie that appeals to both longtime fans and new audiences.