Of the numerous crimes the Animaniacs’ infamous nemesis, David Zaslav, has perpetrated throughout his reign of terror as CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, his blatant disrespect for the Looney Tunes ranks excessive on the listing. As if doing little to advertise the terrific trendy “Looney Tunes Cartoons” sequence which are obtainable solely on Max wasn’t dangerous sufficient, Zaslav’s regime has additionally yanked an entire lot of golden age “Looney Tunes” shorts from its streaming service and killed the live-action/animated hybrid characteristic “Coyote vs. Acme” solely for the sake of a tax write-off. Sadly, it appears we’ll by no means know if Dave Inexperienced’s New Yorker-inspired authorized satire was an entertaining because the early buzz instructed (although, to be clear, WBD ought to’ve launched the rattling movie both method). Nonetheless, 2024 is shaping as much as be a significant 12 months for Bugs, Daffy, Porky, and the remainder of the Looney gang.
As of at this time, Ketchup Leisure has formally acquired the North American rights to “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Film,” a characteristic movie made by lots of the identical of us behind “Looney Tunes Cartoons” (together with director Pete Browngardt, who developed the sequence). “The Day the Earth Blew Up” may also be the primary totally animated “Looney Tunes” characteristic movie to ever obtain a large theatrical launch — a little bit of historical past that Ketchup’s CEO Gareth West was eager to emphasise in his official assertion. Referring to the film as a “historic second for the Looney Tunes franchise,” West confirmed his firm will probably be partnering with Warner Bros. Animation “to deliver this movie to audiences theatrically. We can not anticipate audiences of all ages to expertise one of many smartest animated movies lately.”
The Day the Earth Blew Up is making Looney Tunes historical past
If you happen to’ve but to partake in “Looney Tunes Cartoons” (assuming you even knew it existed till now, which, given how little effort WBD has made to name consideration to the present, you most likely did not), yours really can personally vouch that the sequence is as zany and anarchic because the “Looney Tunes” shorts by Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and so many different legendary animators. “Cartoons” additionally has a up to date sensibility to its slapstick humor and sight gags, which makes it subversive and daring in the identical method the basic “Looney Tunes” shorts have been all these years in the past. Plus, it is cemented Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as a surprisingly unbelievable comedy duo — one thing that bodes properly for “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” a movie that equally revolves across the odd couple’s hijinks.
However you do not have to take my phrase for it. /Movie’s Rafael Motamayor, who caught the film’s premiere on the Annecy Worldwide Animation Movie Competition again in June, has declared “The Day the Earth Blew Up” probably the greatest animated motion pictures of 2024, writing:
“Regardless that the movie retains the spirit of a ‘Merrie Melodies’ brief movie that prioritizes jokes and wildly imaginative animation, the movie additionally provides Porky Pig and Daffy Duck some depth and compelling character arcs. Whether or not you realize your ‘Duck Amuck’ out of your ‘One Froggy Night’ otherwise you simply know these characters from ‘House Jam,’ there’s something for everybody in ‘The Day the Earth Blew Up.'”
Ketchup, in the meantime, can be backing the brand new “Hellboy” reboot “The Crooked Man,” a people horror movie that appears prefer it could be type of unbelievable or horrible (if not a little bit of each). Who is aware of: If it retains making strikes like these, West’s firm could be on its approach to turning into a big-time participant.
“The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Film” has but to set a concrete launch date. Its official synopsis reads as follows:
Directed by Pete Browngardt (“Looney Tunes Cartoons,” “Uncle Grandpa”), the movie stars two-time Emmy-winner Eric Bauza reprising his roles as lifelong mates Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, who uncover a sinister alien invasion plot whereas working on the native bubble gum manufacturing facility. Along with Petunia Pig, our unlikely heroes embark on a hilarious high-stakes mission combating off zombies and aliens whereas delivering all of the giggle out-loud gags and vibrant visuals which have made the Looney Tunes so iconic. The voice solid additionally stars “Looney Tunes” veterans Candi Milo and Fred Tatasciore alongside Emmy-winner Peter MacNicol and others.